A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 jolted northeastern Japan late on Monday night, causing injuries, prompting tsunami warnings, and leading to evacuation orders for thousands of residents.
Key Details and Impact
The earthquake, noted by the Japan Meteorological Agency, occurred around 11:15 p.m. local time (23:15 JST).
- Epicenter: The quake was centered approximately 50 miles (80 km) off the coast of Aomori Prefecture on Japan’s main island, Honshu.
- Depth: The hypocenter was relatively shallow, measured at a depth of 31 miles (50 km).
- Consequences: The seismic event resulted in multiple injuries and caused significant disruption, with a government official confirming reports of “blackouts and fires” in affected areas during a briefing.
- Response: Authorities immediately issued tsunami alerts and ordered thousands of residents in coastal areas to evacuate as a precaution.
