Dozens of Earthquakes Rattle Japan After Tsunami Warning Canceled
A strong 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan’s Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 p.m., according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). At least 25 earthquakes have been recorded along the same region within the last 24 hours, with several exceeding magnitude 6.0.
The series of tremors triggered a tsunami warning that remained in effect for several hours before being canceled. The quakes varied in intensity, from 4.5 to over 6.0 magnitude, and presented potential risks of structural damage and casualties.
The seismic cluster was centered about 75 miles off Iwate Prefecture’s coast, with one notable quake occurring further north near Hokkaido Prefecture. Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Pacific Plate meets the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, a configuration responsible for frequent seismic activity.
Japan experiences roughly 1,500 earthquakes annually—around 18 percent of the world’s total—making it one of the most earthquake-prone nations globally. Major quakes have the potential to cause devastating tsunamis, such as the 2011 catastrophe when a 9.0-magnitude shock caused massive loss of life and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
“Japan's complex coastline is vulnerable to tsunamis,” Tokyo’s foreign ministry has stated.
Seismic Vulnerability of Japan
- Annual average of 1,500 earthquakes.
- Located along multiple tectonic plate boundaries.
- High tsunami exposure due to coastal geography.
Geologists continue to monitor the area for aftershocks and potential tectonic shifts that could intensify seismic risk in coming days.
Author’s summary: Japan was shaken by over two dozen earthquakes off Iwate Prefecture, led by a 6.8-magnitude event that briefly triggered and later canceled a tsunami alert.