6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes northern Japan

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake rocked northern Japan late Tuesday afternoon, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), but no tsunami warning was issued.

The tremor was recorded at 6:18 p.m. (0918 GMT) off northern Aomori prefecture at a depth of 20 km, according to the JMA, and was also felt on the island of Hokkaido.

The American institute of geological studies USGS measured a magnitude of 6.2.

No tsunami warning has been issued, state broadcaster NHK said.

The media did not report any immediate damage.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, which sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches across Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin.

The country enforces strict building regulations to ensure buildings can withstand strong earthquakes, and regularly holds emergency drills to prepare for a major tremor.

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