Powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocks northeastern Japan

Powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocks northeastern Japan. May. 14, 2015 07:24. lovesong@donga.com.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit northeastern Japan on Tuesday. The quake took place at 6:13 a.m. off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture and was an aftershock of the massive earthquake that had occurred in March 2011.

The quake was at the depth of 68 kilometers but was felt in Tokyo, more than 200 kilometers to the southwest on magnitude 2. People could also sense a magnitude 5 quake in Iwate Prefecture, and quakes at a magnitude ranging from 2 to 6 were felt in areas ranging from Tokyo and Hokkaido. High-speed rail Shinkansen suspended some operations temporarily.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said at a press conference Wednesday, “This seems to be an aftershock of the massive earthquake four years ago. There is possibility of further aftershocks accompanying tremors measuring up to 5 within the next week.”

Meanwhile, a volcanic earthquake was observed Wednesday in the hot springs resort of Mount Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. Volcanic activity has been intensifying there since the end of last month. The weather agency maintains volcanic alert level of 2 there citing possibility of small eruptions.

Earthquakes have continued recently in Japan. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry had announced that in the next 30 years there is a 70 percent possibility of earthquakes measuring 7 could occur.