Tokyo — A powerful undersea earthquake struck off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, on Sunday evening, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory for nearby coastal regions. Despite the intensity of the tremor, officials confirmed that no injuries or structural damage had been reported as of late Sunday night.
According to preliminary assessments, the earthquake occurred at 7:45 PM local time on December 8, originating at a depth of approximately 32 miles beneath the seabed. The US Geological Survey (USGS) located the epicenter near 41°N latitude and 142.3°E longitude, positioned off Japan’s northeastern coastline.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) immediately issued safety instructions, urging residents in coastal areas to stay alert and move to higher ground if necessary. Local media footage and social media posts showed ceiling lights shaking violently and furniture trembling in several towns, underscoring the strength of the seismic waves.
Shortly after the quake, operators of nuclear power plants in the region carried out emergency inspections. Public broadcaster NHK reported that all facilities were functioning normally and announced no signs of risk, while advising people to follow official updates closely.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) cautioned that hazardous tsunami waves could potentially affect regions within 1,000 kilometers of the epicenter, including coastal stretches of Japan and parts of Russia. Authorities in both countries remain on alert as they continue to monitor sea-level changes.
