In Japan, an earthquake of magnitude 6.7 hit the east coast of Aomori Prefecture this morning.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the earthquake occurred approximately 120 kilometres south-southwest of Cape Erimo at a depth of approximately 20 kilometres.
Following this, the agency issued tsunami alerts and said it is dangerous to be in the ocean or near the coast.
The agency has further said that anyone in the ocean should get out of the water immediately and move away from the coast.This earthquake follows a 7.5-level tremor in the same region on Monday.
The earthquake caused “sea level fluctuations”, though there is currently no concern for damage.
More than 6,000 people were evacuated from several areas along the coast of Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost province of Japan’s main island.
It comes just days after a 7.5-level tremor in the same region injured at least 50 people.
The quake, which struck off the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture, had a depth of 20km (12.4mi), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. It was followed by several smaller quakes with magnitudes ranging from 4.3 to 5.7.
Authorities issued a tsunami advisory for parts of Japan’s eastern coast, warning that the waves could reach one metre (3.3ft). Waves of 20cm were later recorded in Aomori and Hokkaido prefectures The tsunami advisory was lifted a few hours later.
Thousands received evacuation orders, according to Japanese emergency warning app NERV.
Today’s earthquake comes after a magnitude 7.5 quake struck the same region on Monday, injuring dozens of residents.
Since then Japanese authorities have told people to remain on high alert, warning of a possible megaquake – a disaster that Japan has been bracing for.
Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi said that today’s quake did not fall under the earlier megaquake advisory.