A huge 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan early on Monday – this is a breaking story
A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake has rocked part of northern Japan.
The inland tremor struck 11 miles west of the small town of Sarabetsu on Hokkaido island at a depth of 50 miles early on Monday, according to the US Geological Survey. No tsunami advisory was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
It comes after a 7.7-magnitude offshore earthquake on April 20 prompted Japan to issue an advisory of a slightly increased risk of a potential megaquake for the country’s northeastern coastal areas.
The Cabinet Office and the JMA said at the time that there was a 1 per cent chance of a megaquake, compared to a 0.1 per cent chance during normal times, in the next week or so following the quake near the Chishima and Japan trenches.
Officials said the advisory was not a prediction but urged residents in 182 towns along the northeastern coasts to raise their preparedness while continuing their daily lives.
The JMA said the latest quake occurred outside the area covered by the advisory and that the special alert week would end as planned.
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