A strong earthquake just rocked eastern Japan, but did not affect the Fukushima I nuclear plant, without tsunami warnings.
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The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the magnitude of the 6-magnitude seismic occurred at 15h21 local time, about 166km northeast of Tokyo. The epicenter was located at a depth of 10km and caused many buildings in Tokyo to shake, but there was no sign of panic in a city that was accustomed to tremors.
Figure depicting the recent earthquake (large circle
most) in eastern Japan. (Graphic: Myforecast)
The Japan Meteorological Agency also confirmed the earthquake at the coast of Ibaraki prefecture, south of Fukushima I. Nuclear plant, according to AFP, the tides in the area where the earthquake occurred are expected to change slightly but not given is not enough to cause any damage. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said the Fukushima I nuclear power plant is still safe.
Last March, a 9-magnitude earthquake struck the northeastern coast of Japan, accompanied by a 15-meter tsunami that killed more than 19,000 people and destroyed the Fukushima plant's cooling system. Nuclear radiation leaked into the air, land and waters around the plant, leaving tens of thousands of people evacuated. The northeast region continues to suffer many strong aftershocks after this double disaster.
Japan lies on the intersection of four geological tectonic plates, so the country is the place where 20% of the strongest seismic records are recorded in the world each year.
