A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck northern Japan on Tuesday, shaking buildings but causing no casualties or major damage, authorities said.
Details of the Earthquake
The earthquake hit off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, at a depth of about 50 kilometers, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The quake occurred at 6:55 p.m. local time (0955 GMT).
There was no tsunami warning issued, and no immediate reports of injuries or significant structural damage. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake registered a lower 5 on the Japanese seismic intensity scale, which goes up to 7, in parts of Hokkaido.
Seismic Activity in Japan
Japan is one of the most seismically active countries in the world, experiencing around 1,500 earthquakes a year, most of which are minor. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide, leading to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
In March 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Tohoku triggered a devastating tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and caused a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.
Since then, Japan has strengthened its building codes and early warning systems to mitigate the impact of earthquakes.
Tuesday's earthquake was felt in several cities in Hokkaido, including Sapporo, the prefectural capital, where buildings swayed but no damage was reported. Local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation.
