Experts are urging caution following Monday’s magnitude 7.7 earthquake off the Tohoku coast, saying the offshore epicenter sits atop two colliding tectonic plates that are under growing strain.
Monday’s quake triggered a special advisory for a subsequent, even stronger quake of magnitude 8 or greater in 182 predesignated municipalities in seven prefectures stretching from Hokkaido to Chiba. The advisory will be in effect for a week, though it doesn’t mean the risk will be entirely gone after it is lifted.
It’s the second time the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued such an advisory, which was created in 2022. It was first used in December following a magnitude 7.5 quake that struck the Sanriku coast.
