Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Strikes Japan

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of northern Iwate Prefecture in Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reported the quake occurred at a depth of 50 kilometres. No tsunami warning was issued following the tremor. The city of Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture recorded an intensity of ‘6-lower’, while several cities in Iwate Prefecture recorded an intensity of ‘5-upper’. An intensity of ‘6-upper’ means people are unable to walk and can only crawl during the quake. According to the JMA, unsecured furniture will topple over. Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train services have been suspended. The Prime Minister’s office has established a task force to handle the quake’s impact.