Japan: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs northwest of Okinawa at around 06:53 JST March 24. No immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Event

A magnitude-5.1 earthquake occurred in the East China Sea at around 06:53 JST March 24. The epicenter was about 142 km (88 miles) from west-northwest of Naha, Japan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout parts of Okinawa Prefecture near the epicenter. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, significant damage is unlikely. 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 transport 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

Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.