No Abnormalities at Nuclear Power Plant
Shinkansen Service Halted for About 20 Minutes
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 struck off the eastern coast of Iwate Prefecture, Japan, at around 5:03 p.m. on November 9, prompting a tsunami advisory for the Iwate coastline. The Japan Meteorological Agency initially estimated the magnitude at 6.7 but later revised it to 6.9.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was located in the sea, 204 kilometers east of Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture, at a depth of 10 kilometers. The magnitude 6.9 earthquake caused seismic intensity level 4 tremors to be felt in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, as well as in Wakuyacho, Miyagi Prefecture, among other areas.
Unlike magnitude, which indicates the absolute strength of an earthquake, Japan's seismic intensity scale measures the relative impact of an earthquake, such as how people in the affected area feel and the degree to which objects around them shake. Seismic intensity level 4 means most people are startled and ceiling lights swing significantly.
The Meteorological Agency warned that a tsunami up to 1 meter high could occur along the Iwate coastline and issued a tsunami advisory. As a result, evacuation orders were given to some coastal residents, including about 6,000 people in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture.
However, as of now, the actual tsunami heights observed have been limited to around 20 centimeters at Kuji Port and Ofunato Port in Iwate Prefecture. Following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake, several aftershocks occurred, including those measuring 6.3 and 5.6.
A representative from the Japan Meteorological Agency cautioned, "The second or third wave of a tsunami can sometimes be higher than the first," and urged continued vigilance. No abnormalities were reported at the Onagawa Nuclear Power Plant in Miyagi Prefecture, and there have been no reports of significant damage from local governments or related organizations.
However, operations on both the inbound and outbound Tohoku Shinkansen lines between Sendai City in Miyazaki Prefecture and Shin-Aomori Station in Aomori Prefecture were temporarily halted for about 20 minutes due to a brief power outage, but service has since resumed. The Japanese government has set up an information liaison office at the Prime Minister's Office Crisis Management Center and is continuing to assess the situation for any additional damage.
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