An earthquake measuring 7.1 degrees on the open Richter scale shook the coast of Fukushima, in eastern Japan, on Saturday and was strongly felt in Tokyo, without the Japanese authorities activating the tsunami warning for the moment.
The earthquake took place at 11:08 p.m. local time on Saturday (14:08 GMT) with an epicenter about 60 kilometers deep off the coast of Fukushima prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
In both Fukushima and Miyagi, on the northeast coast of Japan, the earthquake reached the level of six on the Japanese scale, with a maximum of seven and more focused on the affected areas than on the intensity of the earthquake.
Other prefectures on the east coast and central Japan were also strongly shaken by the earthquake, including the capital, where it reached level 4 on the Japanese scale.
Woke up to shaking in Tokyo. Turned on TV to learn Magnitude 7.1 earthquake just hit off Fukushima prefecture — just 3 weeks ahead of the 10 year anniversary. Hope everyone is okay. pic.twitter.com/uT0LKJqqHd
— Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) February 13, 2021
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake could cause a slight rise in sea level, although the tsunami warning has not been activated.
The Japanese Executive has formed an emergency team to gather the available information and evaluate the situation, according to the state chain NHK.
Likewise, the energy companies that operate nuclear power plants located in the affected areas are carrying out checks on whether there has been damage to these facilities, said that media.
At the moment it is unknown if there have been other material damages or if the strong earthquake has left victims or injuries.
The same area was hit by a tsunami, an earthquake, and a nuclear disaster in March 2011.
