Japan: 7.0-magnitude earthquake occurs off Honshu Feb. 13; no tsunami warning issued /update 1

Event

A magnitude-7.0 offshore earthquake occurred off Fukushima Prefecture, Honshu, Japan at 2307 Feb. 13. The epicenter was about 90 km (56 miles) east-northeast of Namie, Japan. Strong shaking was likely felt in parts of Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki, and Chiba prefectures, while light-to-moderate shaking was likely felt over much of the rest of Honshu, including Tokyo, as well as southern parts of Hokkaido. There have been no initial reports of major damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, though some minor damage is likely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments. Further aftershocks are likely over the coming days; a magnitude-5.3 aftershock occurred after the initial seismic event. The earthquake has not prompted any tsunami warnings.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. 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.