Magnitude 5.9 Earthquake Strikes South of Hokkaido, Japan... No Tsunami Risk

120 km Southeast of Obihiro, Hypocenter Depth 33 km
Tokachi Region in Japan Experiences Seismic Intensity 4 Tremors

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 struck the southern sea area of Hokkaido, Japan.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported on June 2 that "an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 occurred at around 3:52 a.m." The epicenter was located 120 kilometers southeast of Obihiro, a city with a population of 170,000, and the depth of the hypocenter was 33 kilometers.

An earthquake occurred in the southern sea area of Hokkaido, Japan. Korea Meteorological Administration.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the earthquake at a magnitude of 5.8.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the quake caused a seismic intensity of 4 to be felt in Urahorocho and Daikicho in the Tokachi region. Unlike magnitude, which indicates the absolute strength of an earthquake, Japan’s seismic intensity scale (shindo) is a relative concept that expresses how people in the affected area feel the tremor and how much surrounding objects shake.

A seismic intensity of 4 means that most people are startled and ceiling-mounted lights swing significantly.

NHK reported that while there may be slight changes in sea level due to this earthquake, there is no concern about tsunami damage. The Korea Meteorological Administration explained that there would be no impact on South Korea.