ID :
166870
Wed, 03/09/2011 - 16:09
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https://www.oananews.org//node/166870
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M7.3 quake rocks northeastern Japan
SENDAI (Kyodo) - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 rocked northeastern Japan shortly before noon on Wednesday, measuring lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7 in northern Miyagi Prefecture, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
An 89-year-old woman in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, was slightly injured as she fell evacuating her home, local police said. No other injuries in the quake have been reported so far.
A tsunami alert was issued following the 11:45 a.m. quake, and a 60-centimeter-high wave was observed at Ofunato port in Iwate Prefecture, prompting local authorities to call on 5,555 residents in the coastal areas to evacuate. So did the city of Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture.
The alert was lifted in a few hours for Japan's northeastern Pacific coast, including Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
About 120 residents in the city of Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate Prefecture, another coastal area, voluntarily left their homes to take refuge, the prefectural government said.
In Kesenuma and Ofunato, kelp and oyster breeding rafts were swept away temporarily, which reminded the local fishermen of similar damage from waves that originated from the February 2010 Chilean earthquake.
In Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, a water pipe ruptured, affecting the water supply for 15 houses.
Meanwhile, in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, entrance examinations for public high schools were temporarily suspended due to the quake.
Its focus was 160 kilometers east of the Ojika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture at a depth of 8 kilometers, the agency said.
Given the focus location, the quake may not have any direct link to a scenario earthquake predicted for waters off Miyagi Prefecture, the agency said.
What appeared to be aftershocks followed measuring up to 6.3 in magnitude and 3 on the Japanese seismic scale.
Tohoku Electric Power Co. and Tokyo Electric Power Co. said their nuclear power facilities are operating normally. Tohoku Electric runs its Onagwawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture and TEPCO two nuclear stations in Fukushima.
Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. said no damage was reported at its Aomori nuclear fuel facilities.
East Japan Railway Co. said Tohoku shinkansen bullet trains between Shiraishi-Zao and Shin-Aomori were briefly halted to confirm safety, and resumed operation afterwards.
An 89-year-old woman in Ofunato, Iwate Prefecture, was slightly injured as she fell evacuating her home, local police said. No other injuries in the quake have been reported so far.
A tsunami alert was issued following the 11:45 a.m. quake, and a 60-centimeter-high wave was observed at Ofunato port in Iwate Prefecture, prompting local authorities to call on 5,555 residents in the coastal areas to evacuate. So did the city of Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture.
The alert was lifted in a few hours for Japan's northeastern Pacific coast, including Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
About 120 residents in the city of Rikuzen-Takata, Iwate Prefecture, another coastal area, voluntarily left their homes to take refuge, the prefectural government said.
In Kesenuma and Ofunato, kelp and oyster breeding rafts were swept away temporarily, which reminded the local fishermen of similar damage from waves that originated from the February 2010 Chilean earthquake.
In Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, a water pipe ruptured, affecting the water supply for 15 houses.
Meanwhile, in Iwate and Miyagi prefectures, entrance examinations for public high schools were temporarily suspended due to the quake.
Its focus was 160 kilometers east of the Ojika Peninsula in Miyagi Prefecture at a depth of 8 kilometers, the agency said.
Given the focus location, the quake may not have any direct link to a scenario earthquake predicted for waters off Miyagi Prefecture, the agency said.
What appeared to be aftershocks followed measuring up to 6.3 in magnitude and 3 on the Japanese seismic scale.
Tohoku Electric Power Co. and Tokyo Electric Power Co. said their nuclear power facilities are operating normally. Tohoku Electric runs its Onagwawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture and TEPCO two nuclear stations in Fukushima.
Japan Nuclear Fuel Ltd. said no damage was reported at its Aomori nuclear fuel facilities.
East Japan Railway Co. said Tohoku shinkansen bullet trains between Shiraishi-Zao and Shin-Aomori were briefly halted to confirm safety, and resumed operation afterwards.
