A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 was felt today (Saturday) off the coast of eastern Japan, near the Fukushima nuclear power plant, where a heavy nuclear disaster occurred about a decade ago as a result of a similar earthquake. Japanese citizens reported that the quake was also felt in the capital Tokyo, where buildings shook, but no significant damage or casualties were reported and no tsunami warning was issued.
The Meteorological Agency of Japan said the quake’s epicenter was off the coast of Fukushima Prefecture at a depth of 60 kilometers into the sea. According to local media, there were no reports of anomalies in the nuclear facility.
Woke up to shaking in Tokyo. Turned on TV to learn Magnitude 7.1 earthquake just hit off Fukushima prefecture – just 3 weeks ahead of the 10 year anniversary. Hope everyone is okay. pic.twitter.com/uT0LKJqqHd
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– Kurumi Mori (@rumireports) February 13, 2021
Level 6 EARTHQUAKE in Japan. Was in Fukushima but still shook my home well! pic.twitter.com/rZSJYiOA5K
– Mr Japan (@YLaylee) February 13, 2021
As mentioned, about a decade ago an earthquake occurred in the same area that caused the most severe nuclear crisis in a quarter of a century. The magnitude 9.1 quake, which occurred on March 11, 2011, triggered huge tsunami waves that covered large areas of the northeast coast of Japan, killing more than 18,000 people. The waves also hit the Fukushima nuclear compound, causing one of the reactors to collapse and the worst nuclear leak since Chernobyl in 1986.
Since 2015, authorities in Japan have gradually begun to lift restrictions on returning to evacuated areas due to the radioactive danger, and have embarked on extensive rehabilitation efforts that are expected to continue for many more years.
Japan is one of the most seismically active regions in the world and has about 20% of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 and above, and the fear is that another earthquake will cause new environmental damage.