Earthquake Rattles Japan

A strong earthquake centered approximately 150 miles off the northeastern coast of Japan rattled parts of the nation Friday.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 with no risk of a widespread tsunami. Earlier, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated the quake at 7.4 in magnitude; 6.2, 5.5 and 4.7 magnitude aftershocks were reported minutes after the initial tremor.

A tsunami warning was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency for the coast of Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan for a 1- to 2-meter (3 to 6 foot) tsunami. Warnings were lifted by the agency a few hours later. A water rise of 1 meter (3 feet) was confirmed shortly after the warning was issued. Even a tsunami of this magnitude could become a significant event.

The coast of Miyagi Prefecture is the same area which was hit by the devastating earthquake and tsunami back in March 2011 which was responsible for the fuel-rod meltdowns at the Fukushima nuclear plant, causing radiation leakage, mass evacuations and contamination of food and water.

According to the Tokyo Electric Power Co, the operator of the Fukushima nuclear plant, no elevated levels of radiation were seen at the Fukushima reactors badly damaged in the 2011 Japan earthquake. However, the company ordered workers to seek safe position inside the plant after the tsunami warning. The workers did not evacuate.

The Associated Press reported that buildings as far as Tokyo shook for several minutes in the quake.

The Japan Times reported that five people were taken to the hospital in Miyagi prefecture with injuries following 7.3 earthquake. Fortunately, none of the injuries were serious. There have also been no immediate reports of deaths. At the present, the damage from the quake appears to be on a limited scale.