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Fukushima: tsunami waves arrive after 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Japan Fukushima: tsunami waves arrive after 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Japan
(35 minutes later)
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 has hit northern Japan, prompting tsunami advisories for much of the nation’s northern Pacific coast. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 has hit northern Japan, prompting authorities to urge residents on much of the nation’s northern Pacific coast to move to higher ground.
The Japan Meteorological Agency initially reported a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 before upgrading it. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) in Fukushima and another prefecture, and a tsunami advisory for much of the rest of northeast Japan’s Pacific coast.
The epicentre of the earthquake, which was felt in Tokyo, was off the coast of Fukushima prefecture at a depth of about 25km (15 miles), the agency said.The epicentre of the earthquake, which was felt in Tokyo, was off the coast of Fukushima prefecture at a depth of about 25km (15 miles), the agency said.
The agency warned that tsunami waves measuring a maximum of 3 metres could hit the coast and urged residents of affected areas to evacuate immediately.
A 60cm (2ft) tsunami was observed at Fukushima’s Onahama Port and a 90cm (3ft) tsunami at Soma shortly after the quake, according to public broadcaster NHK.A 60cm (2ft) tsunami was observed at Fukushima’s Onahama Port and a 90cm (3ft) tsunami at Soma shortly after the quake, according to public broadcaster NHK.
A spokesman for the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a press conference that the tide level was still rising. A spokesman for the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a press conference that the tide level was still rising and expanded the zone affected by the tsunami warning to include Miyagi prefecture.
There were no immediate reports of damage or serious injury after the quake hit at 5.59am (2059 GMT). One woman suffered cuts to her head from falling dishes, Kyodo news agency reported, citing fire department officials.There were no immediate reports of damage or serious injury after the quake hit at 5.59am (2059 GMT). One woman suffered cuts to her head from falling dishes, Kyodo news agency reported, citing fire department officials.
Tepco was checking its nuclear plants in Fukushima, which were devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, for damage, NHK said.Tepco was checking its nuclear plants in Fukushima, which were devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, for damage, NHK said.
NHK reported that the Fukushima Daini Reactor 3 cooling system had stopped operating, but “no abnormalities have been observed”. NHK reported that the Fukushima Daini Reactor 3 cooling system had stopped operating briefly, but “no abnormalities have been observed”.
Tepco, the Tokyo Electric Power Company, said cooling water had not leaked and it is preparing to resume operation within one to two hours. The utility could not immediately be reached by Reuters.
NHK reported that it did not seem tanks had been affected by the quake and the power plant buildings were above water level. The utility could not immediately be reached by Reuters.
Tohoku Electric Power Co said there was no damage to its Onagawa nuclear plant.Tohoku Electric Power Co said there was no damage to its Onagawa nuclear plant.
Television footage showed ships moving out to sea from Fukushima harbours to avoid the tsunami waves.Television footage showed ships moving out to sea from Fukushima harbours to avoid the tsunami waves.
Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas. Japan accounts for about 20% of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas. Japan accounts for about 20% of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.
The 11 March 2011 quake was magnitude 9, the strongest quake in Japan on record. The massive tsunami it triggered caused world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl a quarter of a century earlier.The 11 March 2011 quake was magnitude 9, the strongest quake in Japan on record. The massive tsunami it triggered caused world’s worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl a quarter of a century earlier.
All nuclear plants on the coast threatened by the tsunami are shut down in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. Only two reactors are operating in Japan, both in the south-west of the country. Even when in shutdown nuclear plants need cooling systems operating to keep spent fuel cool.All nuclear plants on the coast threatened by the tsunami are shut down in the wake of the Fukushima disaster. Only two reactors are operating in Japan, both in the south-west of the country. Even when in shutdown nuclear plants need cooling systems operating to keep spent fuel cool.
Reuters contributed to this reportReuters contributed to this report