A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s northeast late Monday night, shaking coastal communities, disrupting power, and prompting authorities to issue immediate tsunami warnings for several prefectures. The quake occurred just after 11:15 p.m. local time off the coast of Aomori Prefecture at a depth of roughly 54 kilometers, according to early assessments.
The intense tremors registered “upper 6” on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in several cities, a level strong enough to knock down heavy furniture, crack walls, and make standing nearly impossible. Emergency sirens sounded across coastal towns as officials urged residents in Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido to move to higher ground. Evacuation advisories affected tens of thousands of people in low-lying areas.
Initial tsunami warnings predicted waves of up to three meters, though the actual waves that reached ports were significantly smaller, measuring between 20 and 70 centimeters. Authorities later scaled back the warnings but maintained advisories as a precaution while monitoring sea-level fluctuations overnight.
At least 30 people were reported injured, most due to falling objects and collapsing interior fixtures. Power outages were recorded in several districts, and train services were temporarily suspended while crews inspected tracks and infrastructure for damage. No major structural collapses or nuclear facility issues were confirmed, though inspections continued through the morning.
Seismologists warned that strong aftershocks are likely in the coming days, and authorities acknowledged a small but real possibility of a larger “megaquake” following the initial event. Residents were advised to stay alert, avoid coastal zones where possible, and follow updates from local disaster-response agencies as Japan once again confronts the unpredictable forces of its seismic landscape.
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