A tsunami warning has been issued in Japan’s Fukushima Prefecture after a 6.9 magnitude quake struck of Honshu just before 6:00AM local time. The US Geological Survey had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 but then downgraded it to 6.9.
Image: USGS
As this is a breaking story, not much is known as this time, but Japan’s Meteorological Agency warns that a tsunami wave between 1-3m is possible. Residents in the area are being told to evacuate to higher ground. Meanwhile, Tohoku Electric said no abnormalities were found at its Onagawa nuclear power plant after the earthquake. Tepco is checking to see if Fukushima No. 1 and No. 2 nuclear power plants have been affected, both of which were shut down following the quake in 2011.
Troublingly, sightings of backwashes, or rip currents, have been observed along some beaches, including along sea walls in Fukushima prefecture (a possible indication of an incoming tsunami). NHK World Live is reporting that the tsunami has reached the Fukushima area. A 60cm tsumani was reportedly observed off Onahama Port, but tsunami size can change dramatically in shallow waters. No injuries have been reported at this time. Prefectures to the north and south of Fukushima are on a tsunami watch alert.
Map showing local ground acceleration as quake propagated. pic.twitter.com/x6GHiy7wKq (via @eqalarm)
— Nippon.com (@nippon_en) November 21, 2016
A live feed via NHK World TV is available here.