Aomori, Dec 09 (V7N) - A powerful magnitude 7.6 offshore earthquake struck off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Monday, prompting widespread tsunami warnings across northern Japan, including the coastal regions of Aomori, Iwate and Hokkaido prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) confirmed significant shaking across multiple areas, triggering immediate evacuation advisories along the Pacific coastline.

According to JMA, the quake registered an upper 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. A lower 6 was recorded in Oirase and Hashikami, while an upper 5 was felt across Noheji and several other towns in the prefecture. Strong tremors were also reported in Hakodate, Hokkaido, and Karumai in Iwate Prefecture.

The first tsunami wave reached Muroran Port in Hokkaido at 11:19 p.m., followed by Urakawa at 11:38 p.m., with both recording waves of up to 40 centimeters. A 50-centimeter tsunami was observed at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture at 12:09 a.m. on Tuesday.

Authorities warn that tsunami waves up to three meters high could strike the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido as well as the Pacific coastlines of Aomori and Iwate. A tsunami advisory has also been issued for the eastern and western Pacific coasts of Hokkaido, and for the Sea of Japan coasts in Aomori, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.

Emergency services and local authorities have urged residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground immediately. No major damage or casualties have been reported yet, but assessments are ongoing as aftershocks continue to be felt throughout the region.

END/WD/SMA/