A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido on Saturday evening, rocking coastal towns but without triggering a tsunami warning, the USGS seismological institute said. Japanese media did not immediately report damage and injuries.
A 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido on Saturday evening, rocking coastal towns but without triggering a tsunami warning, the USGS seismological institute said. Japanese media have so far not reported any damage or injuries. The earthquake took place at 10:27 p.m. (1:27 p.m. GMT) at a depth of about 43 kilometers, the USGS said.
An expert speaking on public broadcaster NHK advised residents to stay alert for possible earthquakes for about a week. Earthquakes are common in Japan, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin. The country enforces strict building regulations to ensure buildings can withstand strong earthquakes, and regularly holds emergency drills to prepare for a major tremor.