Japan hit by series of big earthquakes, with 7.6 Mag, tsunami warning issued in Russia, Korea

Japan was hit by several big earthquakes with Noto in Ishigawa prefecture experiencing a 7.6 magnitude earthquake, the highest, and seeing five-foot tsunami waves along the coast. Bullet train services were suspended, and communication services and power supplies were disrupted in the affected areas. The earthquake triggering tsunami waves as high as five foot, and prompting authorities has issued the tsunami warnings and evacuation advisories for people on the country’s northwestern coast, local media reported.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake hit Ishikawa and nearby prefectures, with one of them having a preliminary magnitude of 7.6. According to the local weather agencies, tsunami waves were predicted within 300 kilometres of the epicentre in Noto in Ishigawa after the earthquake.

The earthquake began with a 5.7 magnitude earthquake at 4:06 pm (local time). This was followed by a 7.6-magnitude quake at 4:10 pm (local time), a 6.1 magnitude quake at 4:18 pm (local time), a 4.5 magnitude one at 4:23 pm (local time), a 4.6 magnitude quake at 4:29 pm (local time), 4.8 magnitude quake at 4:32 pm (local time).

The US Geological Survey said another quake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit soon after.

Tsunami Warnings, People Evacuated

People were urged to quickly leave coastal areas and move to the top of buildings or higher land as waves up to 5 feet hit the coast of Noto in Ishikawa following the tsunami warning, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK.

Tsunami warnings were issued by the JMA along the western coastal regions of Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures, the earthquakes flattened several houses along the affected areas and led to cracks in roads in the affected areas.

Tsunami alerts for North Korea, South Korea and Russia’s far eastern cities of Vladivostok and Nakhodka have been issued by the governments of these countries.