An earthquake measured at a magnitude of 6.9 on the Richter scale hit an area off the coast of eastern Japan on late on Monday, the United States Geological Survey said. The magnitude of the quake had initially been reported at 7.3 by NHK World.
The epicenter of the earthquake is located 10 km off the coast and is said to be 7 miles deep. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that a tsunami with a height estimated at three meters may follow.
The tsunami is expected to hit the country’s north-eastern coast, where the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant is located. However, NHK reported that the Tokyo Electric Power Company said there haven’t been any changes in the levels of radiation at the plant.
The nuclear power plant suffered severe damage and led to a large increase in radioactivity after an earthquake of 9.0 hit the region in 2011.
Image: EPA / Franck Robichon
