Liputan6.com, Jakarta On Sunday, November 9, 2025, Japan was struck by a powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 magnitude off the northern coast.
This earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for Iwate Prefecture.
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The epicenter of the earthquake was off the coast of Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, also known as the Sanriku coast, at depths ranging from 10 to 20 kilometers below sea level, as reported by Japan Times.
This event caused a brief power outage and the suspension of the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) immediately issued a tsunami warning with potential waves of up to 1 meter.
Earthquake Details and Tsunami Warning
The mainshock struck at approximately 5:03 p.m. local time, with the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially reporting a magnitude of 6.7 before revising it to 6.9.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at magnitude 6.8, indicating the significant strength of the event.
Following the mainshock, at least 11 aftershocks occurred, including one with a magnitude of 6.3, raising concerns about further seismic activity.
The JMA issued a tsunami warning for Iwate Prefecture, indicating the potential for waves up to 1 meter to reach the coast.
The tsunami warning was finally lifted at approximately 8:00 p.m. local time, about three hours after the initial earthquake.
Wave Observations and Earthquake Impact
Although a tsunami warning was issued, the observed waves were relatively small.
Tsunami waves of approximately 10 centimeters were detected in Ofunato City and Ominato Port.
At Kuji and Ofunato ports in Iwate, waves of 20 centimeters were also observed, indicating that the tsunami waves did reach land.
The first tsunami wave, so small that it could not be measured by the JMA, reportedly reached Miyako City, Iwate, at 5:37 p.m. local time.
So far, there have been no immediate reports of serious injuries or significant damage caused by the earthquake and small tsunami.
East Japan Railway reported that the Tohoku Shinkansen bullet train line experienced a brief power outage and suspended service between Sendai and Shin-Aomori stations.
Precautions and 'Ring of Fire'
Tohoku Electric Power confirmed that no abnormalities had been reported at the Onagawa nuclear power plant in Miyagi Prefecture.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, via her X account, urged the public to remain vigilant for aftershocks and tsunami waves.
JMA officials warned that earthquakes of similar or even stronger intensity could happen in the coming days.
Japan is known as one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire."
Approximately 1,500 earthquakes strike the country each year, making disaster preparedness an integral part of daily life.