Summary:
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Magnitude ~6.2–6.3 quake hits Shimane Prefecture
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Epicentre located in eastern Shimane
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Intensity recorded at upper-5 on Japan scale
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No tsunami warning issued
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Authorities monitoring for aftershocks
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Depth 10km
A strong earthquake struck western Japan Tuesday, hitting Shimane Prefecture with a preliminary magnitude of around 6.2–6.3, according to Japanese authorities. The quake was centred in the eastern part of the prefecture and was felt widely across the region, though no tsunami warning was issued.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake occurred in the evening local time and registered an upper-5 intensity on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in parts of Shimane. National broadcaster NHK reported that while shaking was strong enough to disrupt daily activity, there were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.
Japan uses a unique seismic intensity system that measures how strongly the ground shakes at a specific location, rather than the total energy released by an earthquake. The scale runs from 1 to 7 and is designed to reflect the real-world impact on people, buildings and infrastructure. An intensity of upper-5 (known as “5-strong”) typically means it is difficult to move without holding onto something, unsecured furniture may topple, and minor structural damage is possible, particularly to older buildings.
This differs from the magnitude scale, such as the moment magnitude used internationally, which measures the earthquake’s overall size. As a result, a single earthquake can have one magnitude but varying intensity readings depending on distance from the epicentre, depth and local ground conditions.
The quake was initially reported with a preliminary magnitude of 6.3 by Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, later revised slightly lower. Authorities confirmed that the depth and offshore risk profile did not warrant a tsunami alert, easing concerns along coastal areas.
Japan is one of the world’s most seismically active countries, sitting atop several major tectonic plates. Its early-warning systems and building standards are designed to mitigate the risks from frequent earthquakes, though events of this size still pose disruption risks to transport, utilities and local communities.
Officials continue to assess the situation, urging residents to remain alert for possible aftershocks.
Let’s hope there are no injuries
