A powerful 7.3 earthquake has struck off Japan’s Fukushima prefecture, triggering a potentially devastating tsunami which authorities warn could be higher than three meters as it reaches the shore.
22 November 2016
Tsunami advisories were lifted by the JMA effective 12:50 pm local time for Iwate, Ibaraki, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures.
“Slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but no tsunami damage is expected,” JMA said in a statement. “Pay attention when fishing, swimming or engaging in other marine activities, as there may still be slight sea-level changes.”
At least 297 schools in six Japanese prefectures were closed after the earthquake as authorities went on to issue tsunami warnings and alerts, the Ministry of Education reported. At least 85 schools suspended classes in Fukushima Prefecture. A further 152 schools were closed in Miyagi Prefecture and another 50 schools were shut in Iwate Prefecture. The earthquake affected the work of six schools in Ibaraki Prefecture, three facilities in Akita Prefecture, and one in Aomori Prefecture.
An eighth powerful offshore aftershock measuring 5.1 has been reported by USGS.
At least six people suffered minor injuries during the quake and tsunami, NHK reported.
“Japan’s nuclear power plants have the most strict regulations in the world. We always think of the worst-case scenario … safety is the utmost priority ” Yoshihide Suga, chief cabinet secretary, told reporters as he confirmed the resumption of cooling functions at the Fukushima No. 2 power plant.
In addition to downgrading tsunami warnings to tsunami advisories in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, the JMA also announced that tsunami advisories have been lifted for the Pacific Coast, Kujukuri of Aomori prefectures as well as the Uchibo area of Chiba prefecture and Izu islands.
“A marine threat is present. Get out of the water and leave coastal regions immediately,” the advisory states. “Due to the risk of ongoing strong currents, do not enter the sea or approach coastal regions until the advisory is lifted.”
According to the latest JMA tsunami forecast, slight sea-level changes may be observed in coastal regions, but “no tsunami damage is expected.”
Tsunami warnings for the Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures have been downgraded by the JMA to alerts, signaling a lower level of risk.
According to the latest reports from Sendai Airport, All Nippon Airways (ANA) went on to cancel 16 flights in the wake of the quake and ongoing tsunami warning. Japan Airlines canceled 10 flights.
Two people were slightly injured during the quake, Japan’s National Police Agency said.
A power outage following the 7.4 magnitude earthquake caused one of the dust monitors that tracks radioactive material at Fukushima No.2 nuclear plant to stop working, NHK reported citing TEPCO.
As a safety precaution, the operator also suspended the processing of contaminated water stored at the site following the deadly 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Two more offshore aftershocks, measuring 4.9 and 4.6, have been reported by USGS.
Some three hours after the powerful earthquake, a 1.4 meter high tsunami wave was observed in Sendai, Miyagi prefecture, at 8:03am.
As Tsunami warning remains in place. A 90cm wave was witnessed at Soma Port at 7:06am. Eighty centimeter waves were seen at Ishinomaki Ayukawa at 7:39am and at Kuji Port at 7:54am.
TEPCO, in a news update, said that the Fukushima power plant “remains intact” and safe after the operator confirmed the restarting of reactor three's spent fuel pool pump at 7:49am. At 6:38am, the Fukushima Daichi and Daini plants experienced a one meter high tsunami wave, the company said, adding that a second wave was “not very high”.
21 November 2016
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) confirmed that the cooling system in the reactor three spent fuel pool stopped working, but was restarted 90 minutes after shutdown. No cooling water leaks or any other “abnormalities” were reported.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency updated information about the earthquake, revising the magnitude up to 7.4 on the Richter scale from a previous 7.3. The depth has also been revised to 25km.
A tsunami warning is also in place for Miyagi Prefecture, a JMA spokesman said at a news briefing. “Please evacuate immediately,” the spokesman said adding that waves could strike immediately.
A tsunami measuring one meter and 40 centimeters was observed at the port of Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, JMA said at the briefing, adding that the sea level has risen.
No problems have been found with Fukushima Airport and Sendai Airport. However, because of the quake, Sendai Airport is witnessing delays in flight operations. Japan Airlines decided to cancel four flights, local media reported.
A fifth 4.4 magnitude offshore aftershock has been reported by USGS.
TEPCO plans to resume the operation of the cooling system within the next few hours, NHK reported.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) told national broadcaster NHK that the cooling system in the Reactor 3 spent fuel pool stopped working. Japan’s national nuclear agency has confirmed that the temperature rise in the pool is “gradual.”
The exact cause of the cooling system stoppage is currently unknown. However, the system might have been “shaken” during the earthquake, according to nuclear agency officials, as reported by NHK. No cooling water leaks or any other “abnormalities” have been reported.
A 90cm tsunami was observed at Soma Port, Fukushima Prefecture, at 7:06am, local media reported.
Four aftershocks ranging from 5.4 to 4.8 magnitude occurred in the hour after the initial jolt, USGS reported.
Tsunami waves were observed 20km off the coast of Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture and 20km off the coast of Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture, NHK reported, warning people that the waves are heading to shore.
The earthquake reportedly caused a fire at a petroleum complex in Iwaki City, NHK reported. It said that fire at "Kureha Chemical” was extinguished at around 6:40am local time.
A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck Fukushima Prefecture in Japan, USGS reported.