A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan’s Hokkaido on Monday evening, prompting authorities to issue a high-level tsunami warning for the country’s Pacific coast.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said a tsunami wave measuring 40 centimeters (15.6 inches) high hit the coast at around 11:30 p.m. local time. The warning said the wave height along the coast could reach a maximum of three meters.
The USGS said the quake was centered about 73 kilometers north-northeast of the city of Misawa, at a depth of 53 kilometers.
There were no immediate reports of casualties, but tsunami waves have begun to hit coastal areas. A high alert has been issued for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures.
State broadcaster NHK said a tsunami wave could hit various port areas from Aomori to Iwate around 11:40 p.m. local time.
Source: AFP, NHK