A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck the western coast of Japan today, as confirmed by the national meteorological office, without triggering any tsunami alerts. The seismic event occurred at 10:18 am (0118 GMT) in Shimane prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Fortunately, there have been no significant reports of damage.
In contrast, the US Geological Survey recorded a slightly lower magnitude of 5.8. The earthquake registered as an upper five on Japan’s Shindo scale in Yasugi, a western city, indicating the potential for heavy furniture to topple over and challenges for drivers in steering vehicles.
Following the main tremor, the Japan Meteorological Agency reported a series of smaller quakes in the same area, with magnitudes of 4.5, 5.1, 3.8, and 5.4, none of which prompted any tsunami warnings.
Japan, situated atop four major tectonic plates along the Pacific’s western “Ring of Fire,” stands as one of the most seismically active nations globally. With a population of around 125 million people, the country endures approximately 1,500 seismic occurrences annually. While the majority are minor, the impact they have can vary based on their location and depth within the Earth’s crust.