Japan observes tiny tsunami following 6.7 magnitude quake

Japan observes small tsunami after 6.7-magnitude earthquake

On Sunday evening, Japan reported that minor tsunami waves reached the northern Pacific coast following a 6.7-magnitude offshore earthquake. The first wave arrived in Miyako, Iwate, at 5:37 p.m. (4:37 p.m. Singapore time), though it was so faint that the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said it could not determine its height.

According to officials, another wave about 10 centimeters high struck Ofunato two minutes later. The earthquake occurred at approximately 5:03 p.m. off Iwate’s coast, prompting the JMA to issue an advisory for a possible tsunami up to one meter in height. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake slightly stronger, at magnitude 6.8.

“A tsunami advisory has been issued for the Iwate coast,” the JMA stated, warning that waves could arrive at any time.

Following the main tremor, a series of aftershocks between magnitudes 5.3 and 6.3 were recorded. Despite the alerts, live television images showed calm seas. Earlier that same day, six smaller offshore quakes between 4.8 and 5.8 had shaken the region, though they caused no significant effects and did not trigger tsunami warnings.

This area continues to bear the scars of the devastating 9.0-magnitude undersea earthquake and tsunami of 2011, which claimed or displaced nearly 18,500 people.

Author’s Summary

Japan experienced small tsunami waves after a 6.7-magnitude quake off Iwate’s coast, causing no damage but evoking memories of the 2011 disaster.

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CNA CNA — 2025-11-09

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