7.0 Quake Off Japan’s Northern Coast Causes No Damage

Authorities say a powerful 7.0 earthquake struck islands off north Japan Friday, but no tsunami warning was issued.

According to Reuters, the quake hit off Japan’s Hokkaido (the largest and northernmost of Japan’s 47 prefectures) at around 12:06 local time in the Pacific Ocean at a relatively shallow depth of 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the epicenter of the quake was located 155 miles east-north-east of Kuril’sk in the Kuril Islands.

“Although there may be slight sea-level changes in coastal regions, this earthquake has caused no damage to Japan,” the Japan Meteorological Agency website said.

Following the 7.0 temblor, a 5.7 magnitude aftershock was also reported.

Friday’s quake off northern Japan’s coast comes on the heels of two powerful tremors that struck the country’s neighbors to the south and far west.

On Tuesday, a 7.8 magnitude quake struck the Iran-Pakistan border and left more than 40 people dead.

“It was the biggest earthquake in Iran in 40 years and we are expecting hundreds of dead,” said an Iranian official at the time.

Less than 24 hours later, a powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked Papua New Guinea’s northern coast, causing residents who feared a tsunami to seek higher ground.

Here is a video on Friday’s 7.0 quake off Japan’s Hokkaido: