While you may think quakes are a western US problem, some of the largest temblors in US history have happened in the East.
MIYAKO, Japan — A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan just before 5 p.m. local time on Monday, according to the USGS. Japan’s government has issued Tsunami Warnings for prefectures along the east coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu.
(FOX Weather)
Tsunami Warnings are also in effect for the northern island of Hokkaido. People within these warnings are being told to evacuate to higher ground.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said tsunami wave heights of approximately 9.8 feet are expected shortly for Iwate Prefecture and Hokkaido.
There’s no tsunami threat for Hawaii or Guam, according to NOAA’s U.S. Tsunami Warning System.
The quake was centered 62 miles east-northeast of Miyako, some 6 miles below the surface.
According to the USGS, Japan records more earthquakes than any other country due to its location on the active Pacific Ring of Fire — the massive, 25,000-mile ring of earthquakes and tectonic plate boundaries where 90 percent of the world’s earthquakes occur.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
