Asia12 December, 20252 min read
6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Off Aomori Triggers Tsunami Advisory, Forces Evacuations on Japan’s Pacific Coast
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Magnitude reported 6.7–6.9, earthquake struck off Aomori prefecture's Pacific coast Tsunami advisory prompted evacuations along Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi Pacific coasts
8 outlets told this the same way.
Aomori quake and tsunami advisory
A strong earthquake struck off Japan's Aomori Prefecture on Friday morning, prompting a tsunami advisory and coastal evacuations along the Pacific coast. Japan's Meteorological Agency revised the quake's magnitude to 6.9 (initially 6.7), saying it hit at 11:44 a.m. local time at a depth of about 20 km, while several other outlets reported magnitude 6.7.
“Japan’s Meteorological Agency lifted a tsunami advisory after an earthquake off Aomori prefecture on Friday, which the JMA gave a revised magnitude of 6.9 (initially 6.7).”
The tremor followed a larger magnitude-7.5 quake in the same region earlier in the week. Reports of aftershocks and initial impacts varied as emergency services checked coastal communities for damage, and the tsunami advisory was lifted after a few hours.
Tsunami advisory and response
The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory warning of possible waves up to one metre along much of the Pacific coast. The advisory prompted coastal evacuations in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate and Miyagi and was lifted roughly two hours later.
Local alert systems and Japan's NERV emergency app sent warnings, and many residents moved from low-lying areas as a precaution. Several small waves of around 20 cm were later recorded at some locations.
Quake and warning updates
The Friday quake came days after a more powerful magnitude-7.5 tremor in the same region earlier in the week, an event that injured people and led to widespread evacuations.
“The new quake struck near the area hit on Monday by a stronger magnitude-7.5 tremor that injured at least 51 people, forced tens of thousands to evacuate and produced 20–70 cm tsunami waves in places.”
Authorities and experts warned of an elevated chance of a larger event in the week following the 7.5 shock, with the JMA issuing a rare megaquake advisory and officials urging heightened vigilance across coastal prefectures.
Post-quake safety checks
Authorities and regulators checked regional infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, and reported no immediate abnormalities or unusual radiation readings after Friday's quake. Several outlets specifically noted that nuclear operators and Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority saw no immediate anomalies. Public broadcaster NHK described Friday's shaking as weaker than Monday's 7.5 event, and aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.3–5.7 were recorded according to some reports.
Quake and advisory update
Early assessments of damage and injuries remained unclear across reports. Some outlets said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. Other reports cited dozens injured in the earlier 7.5 shock and thousands moved from coastal zones during the tsunami advisory.
“There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.”
Authorities continued to urge vigilance as the JMA’s advisory period following the larger Monday quake remained in effect. Communities reviewed preparedness plans.
