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.
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