Japan Hit With 5.2 and 4.9 Earthquake Wednesday

An official report from the U.S. Geological Survey tells of a 5.2 quake that moments ago hit Nemuro, Hokkaido, Japan. The 5.2 quake was 22km SSE of Nemuro. The trembler was followed by a 4.9 magnitude quake 59km NE of Namie, Japan.

USGS indicates to news that the quake was 13.7 miles southeast of Nemuro, Japan. The seismic event was moderate but deep.

No reports of injuries have yet to be detailed by local news.

With only 23 days into the new year, seismologists have recorded a total of 43 earthquakes in the region. The number of quakes at the same time last year totaled 50. Hence, seven fewer quakes have occurred in Japan this year compared to a year ago. The Japan earthquake today was one of the seven strongest quakes to strike the region this year.

The 5.2 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of northern Japan by the U.S. Geological Survey. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake as a 5.4 on its scale.

No tsunami warning was issued by Japanese authorities.  There have not yet been any reports of damage, and officials don’t expect any at this point.

While still short of the 9.0 magnitude quake that caused the devastating tsunami last year in March, a 5.2 quake is still fairly important, and would have definitely been felt by those in northern Japan.

The island of Hokkaido lies directly between today’s quake and Japan’s still recovering Tohoku region.  Those residents are still trying to rebuild their lives.

D. Chandler Contributed to this report