The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a magnitude-6.9 earthquake off Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 p.m. JST (depth ~20 km), followed by multiple aftershocks and tsunami advisories along the northern coast. No injuries or structural damage were reported, and nuclear plants showed no abnormalities. Initial warnings of up to 3 m waves were downgraded; measured surges reached up to 20 cm in several ports. The advisory was lifted about three hours later, though officials warned the area remains at higher risk for further quakes for roughly a week.
Magnitude 6.9 Quake Off Iwate Triggers Tsunami Advisories; No Injuries Reported
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a magnitude-6.9 earthquake off Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 p.m. JST (depth ~20 km), followed by multiple aftershocks and tsunami advisories along the northern coast. No injuries or structural damage were reported, and nuclear plants showed no abnormalities. Initial warnings of up to 3 m waves were downgraded; measured surges reached up to 20 cm in several ports. The advisory was lifted about three hours later, though officials warned the area remains at higher risk for further quakes for roughly a week.
02:17 PM, 11/10/2025Environment
Powerful earthquake strikes off Japan's northern coast
A strong earthquake, later revised to magnitude 6.9, struck off the coast of Iwate Prefecture at 5:03 p.m. JST (08:03 UTC) at an estimated depth of about 20 kilometers (roughly 12 miles), the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Several aftershocks followed, prompting tsunami advisories along parts of the northern coastline.
Officials reported no immediate injuries or structural damage, and there were no abnormal readings at the two nuclear power plants in the affected region.
Tsunami warnings and observations
Authorities initially warned some areas could see waves as high as 3 meters (about 9 feet), then issued advisories for coastal sections where waves might reach around 1 meter (3 feet). In many locations those advisories were later downgraded to tsunami forecasts, indicating expected sea-level changes near 0.2 meters (about 8 inches) — described by the agency as "slight sea level changes."
Measured surges were modest: ports and coastal areas recorded rises of roughly 10 centimeters (4 inches) at Ofunato, Ominato, Miyako and Kamaishi, and later up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) at Kuji and Ofunato.
Ongoing risks and response
Meteorologists warned that tsunami waves can recur for several hours and may strike repeatedly, sometimes growing in size. Residents were urged to stay away from the ocean and coastal zones while advisories were in effect and to prepare for additional strong shaking.
The tsunami advisory was lifted approximately three hours after the main quake, but the agency cautioned the region would remain at elevated risk for strong quakes for about a week, with the next two to three days considered most likely for further activity.
Additional tremors were recorded in Iwate Prefecture, and Hokkaido also experienced shaking from the series of quakes. JR East reported temporary delays to bullet trains in the area as a precaution. Japan, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.
Context
Northeastern Japan remains mindful of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami and the subsequent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, which killed nearly 20,000 people and displaced many residents. Officials said there is no evidence linking this latest earthquake directly to the 2011 event, though the region is generally susceptible to major seismic activity.
Authorities continue to monitor seismic and ocean conditions and advise residents along the coast to follow local instructions and updates.