Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits northern Japan, no tsunami warning issued

Anearthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 hit off Japan's northernmost main island of Hokkaido, on Saturday (February 25). No tsunami warning was issued, said authorities, as per Reuters.

TheJapan Meteorological Agency also said that it mainly rattled theeastern part of Hokkaidoat 10:27 pm (local time), as per media reports. There were no immediate reports ofinjuries or damage to infrastructure. The Japanese weather agency also said that the quake was recorded at the depth of 60 km in thePacific Ocean off Kushiro and shooka wider region including northeastern Japan and the eastern part of the country.

Meanwhile, an expert speaking to thepublic broadcaster NHK warned that citizens need to beagainst quakes for at least a week, reported AFP.The quake registered "lower than 5" on Japan's7-point intensity scale, as per theJapan Meteorological Agency, which is usually the level at whichitems fall out of shelves and unsecured furniture may move. Notably, the intensity scalemeasures ground motion.

Earthquakes are common in the country thatsits on thePacific "Ring of Fire" whichcauses an arc ofintense seismic activity acrossJapan. Furthermore, the country is also situatedat the junction of four tectonic plates and experiences a number of relatively violent quakes every year. Therefore,Tokyo hasstrict construction regulations to make sure that the buildings can withstandstrong earthquakes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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