Japan: A magnitude-6.2 offshore earthquake occurs off the coast of western Honshu at around 14:42 May 5

Event

A magnitude-6.2 earthquake occurred off the coast of northern Ishikawa Prefecture at around 14:42 May 5. The epicenter was about 120 km (75 miles) north-northeast of Kanazawa. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 9 km (5 miles), and very strong shaking was probably felt in far northern Ishikawa Prefecture, with strong to moderate shaking likely felt in the rest of northern Ishikawa Prefecture. Light shaking was probably felt throughout western Honshu. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; some damage is possible, particularly in parts of northern Ishikawa Prefecture nearest the epicenter. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Moderate to strong aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.