A day after a massive 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Japan just off the coast of Aomori, injuring at least 33 people, authorities have issued a warning for a possible “megaquake” for the area, NHK Japan reports. Authorities also issued warnings of possible aftershocks in the coming days.
According to NHK Japan, a large earthquake could also trigger a tsunami along the Pacific coast from Hokkaido to Chiba Prefecture.
Residents of those areas were advised to remain on alert over the next week, although no evacuation notices had been issued. This is the first warning of its kind since the introduction of the warning category in 2022.
Tsukasa Morikubo, a cabinet member, said at a press conference after the earthquake that the megaquake could strike along the Japan Trench and the Kuril Trench off Hokkaido.
“It is not clear whether there will be a large-scale earthquake. But everyone should heed the call to take measures to protect their lives,” said Tsukasa Morikubo.
At least 33 people were injured after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the east coast of Aomori Prefecture at 11:15 p.m. (local time) on Monday, December 8, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
Most of the injuries were caused by falling objects. Several people were injured at a hotel in Hachinohe. In Tohoku, a man suffered minor injuries when his car fell into a pothole.
The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 54 kilometers, down from the original estimate of 50 kilometers. As soon as the massive earthquake hit Japan, Japanese authorities issued a tsunami warning.
Soon after, hundreds of people took to Twitter (now X) to share photos and videos capturing the moment of the earthquake. Clips showed swinging chandeliers, items falling from shelves and buildings shaking as residents scrambled to safety.
Authorities have issued a tsunami warning for Iwate Prefecture and parts of Hokkaido and Aomori.
A tsunami wave of 70 centimeters was observed at Kuji Port in Iwata. In Hokkaido, a 50-centimeter tsunami was observed in the city of Urakawa, and a 40-centimeter tsunami was observed in the port of Mutsuogawara in Aomori Prefecture.
Up to 3,000 people were evacuated after the tsunami warning.
The weather agency said there was a slight increase in the risk of an 8-magnitude earthquake and possible tsunami along Japan’s northeastern coast from Chiba to Hokkaido.
The agency urged residents of 182 municipalities in the area to monitor their emergency preparedness in the coming week.
