7.2 Magnitude Quake Hits Off Northern Japan, Tsunami Alerts Issued

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck off the northern coast of Japan late Monday, prompting tsunami warnings for several prefectures and urging residents to evacuate to higher ground.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake hit at approximately 11:15 p.m. local time, with its epicenter about 50 kilometers beneath the seabed, roughly 84 kilometers east of Misawa in Aomori Prefecture. The tremor affected coastal areas near Aomori and Hokkaido, with some locations in Iwate Prefecture also under alert. The agency issued warnings for potential tsunami waves reaching up to 3 meters in height, advising people to avoid coastlines and river mouths where overflows could occur. Officials emphasized that waves might arrive repeatedly, and immediate evacuation was critical to minimize risks.

In Hachinohe, a city in Aomori Prefecture, the earthquake registered an intensity of upper 6 on Japan's seven-point Shindo scale, indicating strong shaking capable of knocking over furniture and causing difficulty standing. No immediate reports of casualties or major structural damage emerged, though the event rattled homes and left some residents describing ongoing tremors. One local...