A magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu on Monday, followed by a series of strong aftershocks, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning.
Following the earthquakes, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued an advisory urging residents in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground until further notice. Tsunami waves of around 40 centimetres were observed in Hokkaido, and up to 50 centimetres in Iwate.
According to the advisory, the 7.6-magnitude earthquake occurred at 23:15 (local time), with the epicentre located off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of 50 km.
The JMA warned that the strong quakes could trigger repeated tsunamis and advised residents not to leave safe locations until the warning is lifted.
“As of 23:23 on the 8th, a tsunami warning is in effect. Tsunamis will strike repeatedly. Do not leave a safe location until the warning is lifted,” the agency said in a post on X.
The JMA issued an alert for waves up to 3 metres high and cautioned that larger waves could still arrive along Japan’s northeastern coastline.
Tsunami waves of roughly 40 centimetres were also observed in parts of Aomori and Hokkaido, and up to 50 centimetres in Iwate, as reported by Kyodo News.
According to India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the region was initially hit by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake at 19:45, with the epicentre located at 41.05°N and 142.37°E at a depth of 60 km.
Shortly afterward, another quake of magnitude 6.0 was recorded at 20:03 at 40.88°N and 142.88°E, also at a depth of 60 km.