A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast near Japan’s Noda region on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred offshore at a depth of 19.3 kilometres, reducing its impact on land.
There were no immediate reports of loss of life or property damage, officials said. Japanese authorities are monitoring the situation closely to assess any possible after-effects. As of now, no tsunami warning has been issued, and normal conditions continue in coastal areas.
The latest tremor comes just weeks after a powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit offshore on December 8, injuring at least 30 people and forcing nearly 90,000 residents to evacuate. Following that quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued tsunami warnings for parts of the northeastern coast, including Hokkaido, Aomori, and Iwate. Tsunami waves measuring 20 to 70 centimetres were recorded at several ports.
Japan’s high seismic risk
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, experiencing tremors frequently due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” Nearly 20 per cent of all earthquakes worldwide measuring 6.0 or higher occur in or around Japan.
The country’s northeastern region has seen some of the deadliest earthquakes in history. On March 11, 2011, a massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast near Sendai, triggering devastating tsunamis. The disaster claimed nearly 20,000 lives and caused widespread destruction, making it the strongest earthquake ever recorded in Japan.
Earthquake in Taiwan
A powerful earthquake of 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale rocked Taiwan on Saturday, according to the country's Central Weather Bureau. The tremor hit the northeastern coastal city of Yilan at 11:05 PM local time, with the epicenter located 32.3 km east of Yilan County Hall. The earthquake’s epicenter was situated at coordinates 24.69°N, 122.08°E, with a depth of 72.8 km (45 miles).
The shaking was felt across the island, including in the capital, Taipei, where buildings shook due to the force of the quake. Taiwan’s National Fire Agency reported that assessments for potential damage are currently underway.
