In Japan, a strong earthquake hit its western part today, but it ruled out any danger of a tsunami.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake with a magnitude of 6.2, located at a depth of about 10 kilometres inland, occurred in Shimane prefecture in north-western Japan.
The agency said there was no risk of a tsunami and no injuries or damage were reported from the quake. The Nuclear Regulation Authority said no abnormalities were found at the Shimame nuclear power plant and a related facility in the region. Japan is on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, which is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone areas.
The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, occurred in Shimane prefecture in northwestern Japan, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The prefectural capital of Matsue and nearby cities, including some in the neighboring Tottori prefecture, were among the most strongly shaken.
The 10:18 a.m. quake, with its magnitude being revised from the initially reported 6.2, struck eastern Shimane Prefecture at a depth of 11 kilometers, measuring upper 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale of 7. It was followed by a series of further temblors at short intervals, including an M5.1 quake at 10:28 a.m. and an M5.4 one at 10:37 a.m.
Damage to buildings and infrastructure in the affected prefectures have been reported, as ceiling panels fell off on multiple floors at the city hall of Yonago, located in the western part of Tottori, and tap water turned muddy in the adjacent town of Nanbu, affecting thousands of people, according to the municipalities.