Strong and shallow M6.2 earthquake off the coast of Hokkaido, Japan
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.2 hit off the east coast of Hokkaido, Japan at 03:22 UTC (12:23 JST) on March 2, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 10 km. EMSC reported it as M6.0 at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles).
The epicenter was located 191 km (119 miles) SE of Nemuro (population 31 223) and 241 km (150 miles) ESE of Kushiro (population 183 612), Japan.
There are no people living within 100 km.
Some 21 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking and 13 000 weak.
This earthquake poses no tsunami risk, JMA said.
The USGS issued a green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are heavy wood frame and reinforced/confined masonry construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and fires that might have contributed to losses.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: Google, TW/SAM
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