Two earthquakes struck eastern Japan within approximately three hours early Thursday, October 8, shaking parts of Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), neither of the tremors triggered a tsunami warning or threat.
First Quake Strikes Chiba Prefecture at Dawn
The initial earthquake occurred at 4:13 a.m. local time, registering a preliminary magnitude of 4.8. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that the epicenter was located in northeastern Chiba Prefecture at a depth of approximately 50 kilometers.
The shaking reached a maximum intensity of 4 on Japan’s seven-point seismic intensity scale in the city of Asahi. Tremors from the first earthquake were also felt broadly across neighboring regions, including parts of Ibaraki Prefecture and as far as Fukushima Prefecture, waking residents in the early morning hours.
Second Tremor Hits Ibaraki Prefecture
Roughly three hours after the first event, a second earthquake jolted the region. Striking at 7:14 a.m. local time, this tremor registered a preliminary magnitude of 4.0.
The JMA stated that the epicenter was situated in Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of roughly 60 kilometers. The shaking recorded a maximum intensity of 3 on the Japanese seismic scale in Hitachiomiya. Local authorities and emergency services reported no immediate major damage or injuries resulting from either earthquake.
Recent Seismic Activity in Eastern Japan
Japan frequently experiences seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire. Thursday’s events follow a series of recent tremors felt across the eastern part of the country in recent weeks.
- October 1: A magnitude 5.1 tremor struck northeastern Chiba Prefecture.
- September 29: A magnitude 4.9 earthquake shook eastern Japan.
- August 23: A stronger magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit the region, resulting in over 40 injuries in Tokyo.
Seismologists continue to monitor fault lines in the Kanto region, reminding residents to remain prepared for potential aftershocks following moderate magnitude seismic events.
