A tsunami up to three meters can reach the northeastern coast of Japan after a magnitude earthquake estimated at 7.6 occurred today at sea, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported.
A tsunami warning has been issued for Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Local authorities asked residents to leave the area.
The quake’s epicenter was located 80 km off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, at a depth of 50 km, the agency added.
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, experiencing a tremor at least every five minutes. East Japan Railway suspended some train services in the region, which was also hit by the devastating 9.0 magnitude earthquake in March 2011.
Situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of volcanoes and ocean trenches that partially surrounds the ocean, the country is responsible for about 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or greater.
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