Japan gets alert for strong quake but only minor shake reported
TOKYO – Japan’s Meteorological Agency says it is investigating after it issued an alert for a very strong earthquake that turned out to be only a mild shake.
Loud alarms rang from cellphones and TVs just before 5 p.m. Japan time on Thursday, warning of an earthquake of magnitude 7.8, which could cause severe damage. It said residents throughout Japan should be prepared for a jolt.
A few minutes later the Meteorological Agency reported a magnitude 2.3 quake centred in Wakayama prefecture, in western Japan. Under the Japanese system for measuring quakes, it barely registered.
Broadcaster NHK said the agency blamed electronic noise for triggering the apparently false alarm.
Japan beefed up its warning systems following a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011 that killed more than 18,000 people.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.