Strong and shallow M6.8 hits near the west coast of Honshu, Japan - tsunami advisories issued

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Posted by Teo Blašković on June 18, 2019 at 14:02 UTC (6 months ago)
Categories: Seismic activity, Tsunami

A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.8 hit near the west coast of Honshu, Japan at 13:22 UTC (22:22 JST) on June 18, 2019. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). USGS is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 16.1 km (10 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

A tsunami advisories have been issued for the following coastal regions of Japan: Yamagata Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, and Noto area, Ishikawa Prefecture.

"A marine threat is present. Get out of the water and leave coastal regions immediately. Due to the risk of ongoing strong currents, do not enter the sea or approach coastal regions until the advisory is lifted," JMA warns.

Tsunami forecast (slight sea level changes):

Slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but no tsunami damage is expected.

The full warning follows:

Tsunami Warnings / Tsunami Advisories

Issued at 22:24 JST, 18 Jun. 2019

******************Headline******************
Tsunami Advisories issued for the following coastal regions of Japan:
  YAMAGATA PREF.
  NIIGATA PREF.
  NOTO AREA, ISHIKAWA PREF.

*******************Text********************
Tsunami Advisories have been issued for the following coastal regions of Japan:

  *YAMAGATA PREF.
  *NIIGATA PREF.,EXCEPT SADOGASHIMA ISLAND
  *SADOGASHIMA ISLAND
  NOTO AREA, ISHIKAWA PREF.

Tsunamis are expected to arrive imminently in the following coastal regions of Japan (coastal regions above with asterisks):
  YAMAGATA PREF.
  NIIGATA PREF.,EXCEPT SADOGASHIMA ISLAND
  SADOGASHIMA ISLAND

***********Tsunami Forecast definitions************
Tsunami Advisory
A marine threat is present. Get out of the water and leave coastal regions immediately.
Due to the risk of ongoing strong currents, do not enter the sea or approach coastal regions until the advisory is lifted.

Tsunami Forecast (slight sea level changes)
Slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but no tsunami damage is expected.

***** Earthquake Information ******
Occurred at	22:22 JST, 18 Jun. 2019
Region name	YAMAGATA-KEN OKI
Latitude	38.6N
Longitude	139.5E
Depth	about 10 km
Magnitude	6.8

Tsunami observations

The initial tsunami arrived at Awashiuma at 23:05 JST (14:05 UTC).

Tsunami waves may reach their maximum height a few hours or more after initial waves. In some coastal regions, tsunami waves higher than those recorded may have arrived. Tsunami waves may be higher than those recorded at observation sites.

***

A destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected, PTWC said.

The epicenter was located about 30 km (21 miles) WSW of Tsuruoka (population 99 820), 45 km (28 miles) N of Murakami (population 31 334), 47 km (29 miles) SW of Sakata (population 100 446), and 59 km (38 miles) SW of Yuza (population 17 082), Japan.

There are about 2 250 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles).

According to the USGS, 171 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking, 863 000 moderate and 8 327 000 light.

More than 9 000 homes across Yamagata and Niigata lost power.

Damage to roads have been reported but there have been no initial reports of fatalities.

No damage or irregularities were reported at nuclear power facilities.