An out of the ordinary earthquake stunned the north-eastern area of Japan at around 11:07 pm on Saturday (February 13, local time), halting business operations and transportation, and leaving at least 100 individuals injured.
The earthquake appeared to be an aftershock from the devastating quake that hit the area in 2011.
7.3 Magnitude Quake Disrupts Business Activities, Transportation, Leaving 100 Injured
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake was believed to be an aftershock from the magnitude 9.0 March 11, 2011 earthquake that set off a tsunami and the world’s worst nuclear accident in 25 years, NHK World reported.
In line with this, the agency warned of aftershocks for several days.
According to Japan Meteorological Agency official Kamaya Noriko said, “There is a growing risk of houses collapsing and landslides in areas that were hit hard by the quake. People are advised to pay close attention to future seismic activity and rainfall. They are also advised to take measures to ensure their own safety, such as not entering dangerous places, unless there are unavoidable circumstances. People are further advised to be on the alert for earthquakes with a maximum intensity of 6 or above for the next week or so.”
The agency official explained that a jolt with an intensity of six-plus was felt in Zao Town in Miyagi Prefecture. It was also felt in Soma City and two other towns in Fukushima Prefecture.
The quake registered six-minus in more than 20 municipalities in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
It added that the jolts with intensities of 3 or higher were felt in a wide area stretching from Hokkaido to Aichi Prefecture.
The Meteorological Agency estimates the focus was off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture at a depth of 55 kilometers.
Catch the video footage of the 7.3-magnitude quake that hit the north-eastern region of Japan on Saturday as shared by the JS Media/YouTube:
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