Japan Experiences Trio of Moderate Earthquakes

Japan felt the ground move three times Friday with a series of earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.5 to 4.6, according to the U.S. Geological survey. Fortunately, no injuries or structural damage have been reported.

These events aren’t unusual. Japan sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it one of the worldS most seismically active countries. Frequent earthquakes are simply a part of life there.

The first tremor struck early in the morning near Hanyu in Saitama Prefecture. It registered 4.5 on the magnitude scale and occurred about 3 miles below the surface. Residents indoors felt the quick shaking, but it didn’t cause any reported harm or disruption. Hanyū is approximately 40-50 miles from central Tokyo.

later, a magnitude-4.6 earthquake hit roughly 84 miles south-southeast of Shimoda. This quake likely occurred offshore in the Pacific Ocean. Coastal residents noticed the shaking, but it didn’t cause lasting impact or trigger any tsunami warnings.

The third quake, also a magnitude 4.5, rattled the Izu Islands region. Similar events in the past – including one recorded at around 6 miles deep – have resulted in light shaking without any damage or tsunami alerts.