6.7 Quake Off Iwate Coast Prompts Tsunami Advisory

A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan on Sunday evening, prompting the Japan Meteorological Agency to issue a tsunami advisory for waves up to one meter along the northern coastline.

The quake occurred at approximately 5:03 p.m. local time, at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean surface. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 for the event. Shaking reached level 4 on Japan's seven-point Shindo intensity scale in the affected areas, indicating moderate tremors that could unsettle people and objects but typically cause limited structural damage.

In response, the agency warned of possible tsunamis approaching the Iwate coast and urged residents to avoid coastal areas immediately. Public broadcaster NHK reported that offshore waves had been observed and emphasized the risk of repeated surges, which can persist for hours and potentially increase in height. Observations confirmed tsunami waves of about 10 centimeters at locations including Ofunato city, Ominato port, Miyagi, and Kamaishi, with heights reaching 20 centimeters in the coastal area of Kuji. The advisory remained active for at least...