Two strong aftershocks rock Japan minutes apart

Two strong aftershocks rock Japan minutes apart

2011-03-15 21:26:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

TOKYO (BNO NEWS) -- Two strong earthquakes struck Japan on late Tuesday evening, days after one of the largest earthquakes on record devastated the country, seismologists said.

The first 6.2-magnitude earthquake at 10.28 p.m. local time (1328 GMT) was centered off the country's northeastern coast, about 142 kilometers (88 miles) east-northeast of Iwaki on the main island of Honshu. It struck about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) deep, making it an extremely shallow earthquake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Moderate shaking from the earthquake was widely felt in the country's north and northeast, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. JMA said the maximum seismic intensity felt on land would be 3, which compares to the strength of a light earthquake.

Minutes later, at 10.31 p.m. local time (1331 GMT), a strong 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck central-east Japan at a depth of 1 kilometer (0.6 mile). It struck about 36 kilometer (22 miles) south of Kofu and was centered on land.

JMA said the maximum seismic intensity observed was 6-plus in Fujinomiya city, increasing the likelihood of damage and casualties. The Kyodo news agency said a fire broke out in the city while NHK reported power outages, and local television reports said there were injuries.

Other details were not immediately available.

Northeastern Japan has been left devastated after an enormous 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off its coast on Friday, generating a tsunami that struck coastlines. More than 10,000 people are believed to have been killed.

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