Japan: Magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurs east of Iwate Prefecture at around 07:48 Aug. 25

Event

A magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurred east of Iwate Prefecture at around 07:48 Aug. 25. The epicenter was about 115 km (71 miles) east of Yamada. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 35 km (22 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout Iwate, eastern Aomori, eastern Akita, and northern Miyagi prefectures. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. 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 where shaking occurred.

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.