M 6.1 Earthquake Hits Northeastern Japan, Nuclear Plants Safe
JAPAN, JOURNALARTA.COM — Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said a preliminary magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Sunday morning, with no tsunami warning issued and no abnormalities reported at nearby nuclear facilities.
JAPAN, JOURNALARTA.COM – Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) said a preliminary magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck northeastern Japan on Sunday morning. The quake came just days after a larger tremor hit the same area.
According to JMA, the earthquake hit at 5:21 a.m. local time. The epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean off Iwate Prefecture, at a depth of about 40 kilometers. JMA said it did not issue a tsunami warning after the shaking.
Areas That Felt the Jolt
Shaking reached lower-5 intensity on Japan’s seismic scale, which tops out at 7. People in parts of Aomori and Iwate prefectures felt the quake. It was strong enough to be noticeable, but not severe enough to suggest widespread structural damage.
Nuclear Facilities Report No Problems
Checks were quickly carried out at critical infrastructure in the region. Here is the status report:
1. Tohoku Electric Power Co.: No abnormalities were found at the Higashidori nuclear power plant in Aomori or the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi.
2. Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd.: The spent fuel reprocessing plant in Rokkasho, Aomori, also continued operating normally without disruption.
Context: A Follow-Up Quake After the Earlier One
Today's quake came just four days after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit the same area on Thursday before dawn. That earlier quake was also centered offshore of Iwate, at a depth of 44 kilometers.
The M 7.2 quake left the following impact:
- At least 10 people were injured
- Shinkansen bullet train services were temporarily disrupted
- Several schools suspended classes as a precaution
At the time, JMA urged residents to stay alert for a week, warning that aftershocks could still reach intensity level 6 or higher.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Japan Quake
Q: Was there any tsunami risk after this earthquake?
A: No. JMA officially said no tsunami warning was issued.
Q: How strong was the shaking?
A: It reached lower-5 intensity, strong enough to be felt clearly but not expected to cause major damage.
Q: Were the nuclear plants safe?
A: Yes. Immediate checks confirmed no disruption or damage at nuclear facilities in the area.
Q: Was this an aftershock?
A: It was likely part of the aftershock sequence following the magnitude 7.2 quake a few days earlier.
