Large Earthquake Strikes Off Japan Coast; Tsunami Advisory Issued
A large earthquake shook Kyushu, Japan, just after 9 p.m. local time Monday night, triggering a tsunami advisory for Japan's southeast coast.
The quake was centered just offshore of Kyushu, about 7 miles east of the coastal town of Miyazaki, about 520 miles southwest of Tokyo. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded it as a preliminary 6.8-magnitude quake, and data from the agency indicated “strong” shaking in Miyazaki.
The tsunami advisory has since been lifted, according to Japan public broadcaster NHK.
A passenger inside a plane on the tarmac in Miyazaki recorded the plane shaking.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat of a tsunami to the U.S. West Coast or Hawaii.
There were no immediate reports of damage or major injuries from the earthquake, but residents in some were told to evacuate as a precautionary measure and people in general were being told to avoid coastal areas.
One person sustained minor injuries when they fell down stairs, NHK reported.
Kyushu is the southernmost of Japan's four main islands.
Japan sits along the “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. The country has about 1,500 earthquakes each year strong enough to be felt by people.
The Ring of Fire is also where most of Earth's tsunamis are generated and the highest percentage happen off the coast of Japan, according to the National Weather Service. About two tsunamis per year cause damage or death.
This is a developing story. Please check back frequently for updates.
MORE ON WEATHER.COM
-Earthquake Kit: What To Have, Where To Keep It
-What To Do During An Earthquake
-New USGS Earthquake Map Highlights Risk Across U.S.
Weather.com staff writer Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.
