Strong Quake Hits Japan; Tsunami Warning Downgraded

A powerful earthquake struck off northeastern Japan, prompting a tsunami warning that was later downgraded to an advisory, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and the US Geological Survey.

Observed tsunami waves were smaller than expected. (Photo: 100yen, Wikimedia Commons)

The quake measured between 7.4 and 7.7 magnitude, depending on the reporting agency.

Warnings initially covered parts of Iwate, Hokkaido, and Aomori. Observed tsunami waves were smaller than expected, including 0.8 meters at Kuji Port and 0.4 meters at Miyako Port.