Small Tsunamis Recorded After Magnitude 6.8 Quake Strikes Off Japan Coast
TOKYO (CBS/AP) -- A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan early Tuesday (Monday afernoon in the U.S.), triggering minor tsunamis but no reports of major damage or injuries.
The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted a tsunami advisory two hours after it was issued following the quake, which hit shortly after 8 a.m. Japan time (3 p.m. Pacific).
The quake's epicenter was at a depth of about 6 miles. It shook much of northeast Japan and could be felt in Tokyo, 430 miles away.
Small tsunamis of up to 8 inches were recorded after the quake along the coast of Iwate prefecture, according to the agency, much smaller than the possible 3-foot tsunami mentioned in the advisory.
Several smaller aftershocks were also reported in the area.
Tohoku Electric Power Co., which operates the Onagawa and Higashidori nuclear plants in nearby Miyagi and Aomori prefectures, said it saw no irregularities at the facilities after the quake.
All 48 of Japan's nuclear reactors remain offline after a March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster in northeastern Japan.
A spokesman for Tokyo Electric Power Co, the operator of Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini nuclear plants, said there were no irregularities at the plants. The quake was felt only weakly in the area, he said.
Unlisted Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd also said there were no irregularities recorded at its nuclear fuel reprocessing facility or other plants in Aomori.
Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas. Japan accounts for about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.
COMPLETE QUAKE COVERAGE: CBS Earthquake Resource Center
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Strong earthquakes with an epicenter off the coast can trigger tsunamis, depending on the size and type of the fault movement. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center tracks earthquake data for the West Coast.
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