Japan: Magnitude-5.6 offshore earthquake occurs south of Honshu, Japan, at around 12:52 May 18

Event

A magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurred south of Honshu at around 12:52 May 18. The epicenter was about 223 km (139 miles) south-souteast of Katsuura. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 13 km (8 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout Chiba, and eastern parts of Kanagawa, Shizuoka, and Tokyo prefectures. 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. Light to moderate 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.

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.

Out of an abundance of caution, consider moving away from low-lying coastal areas until local authorities determine that no local tsunami threat exists. Officials may update assessments in the coming hours.