Offshore earthquake triggers tsunami advisory in Japan

Rendering of a satellite image of the Iwate Prefecture in Japan. Google Earth

TOKYO — Japan issued a tsunami advisory Tuesday morning after a magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck off its northeastern coast.

The quake hit shortly after 8 a.m. Japan time at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles). It shook much of northeast Japan and could be felt in Tokyo, 690 kilometers (430 miles) away.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an advisory for a possible 1-meter (3-foot) tsunami along the coast of Iwate prefecture. Japanese broadcaster NHK said that small tsunamis of about 10 centimeters (3.94 inches) were recorded about 45 minutes later.It warned people to stay away from the shore.

The earthquake struck in the same region hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011.

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