6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Coast Of Fukushima, Japan

RTR3BBZV — Birds fly over tsunami defenses as sea mist is seen along the coast in Ishinomaki, Miyagi prefecture, December 8, 2012. A strong earthquake centred off northeastern Japan shook buildings as far away as Tokyo on Friday and triggered a one-metre tsunami in an area devastated by last year's Fukushima disaster, but there were no reports of deaths or serious damage. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

UPDATE, 6:10 EDT: Small tsunami of 20 cm recorded in Miyagi prefecture, north of Fukushima, no major damage. Residents have been ordered to evacuate coastal towns.

Original Story

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake rumbled off Japan’s northern coast early Saturday morning.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a Tsunami Advisory to the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, meaning they expect the tsunami to be less than one meter in height.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station that was heavily damaged in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami is located on the coast of the Fukushima prefecture. The Tohoku quake measured a 9 on the moment magnitude scale (MMS) and struck just north of where this quake hit. More than 15,000 people were killed during the Tohoku tsunami and after affects, including when three of the Fukushima plant's reactors suffered a meltdown.

The JMA warned people to “get out of the water and leave the coast immediately,” but added it did not expect any damage from the potential tsunami. The biggest danger is the current caused by the earthquake, which can sweep people far out to sea.

According to the JMA, the quake hit 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) below the surface.

Japan