Double Tremors Rock Japan’s Coast: 6.5 & 5.0 Magnitude Quakes Hit Near Kuril Islands

Tokyo: A pair of earthquakes with magnitudes 6.5 and 5.0 rattled the vicinity of Japan’s coast in rapid succession on Thursday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The first quake, measuring 6.5, occurred at 2:45 PM, with its epicentre located off the southeast coast of the Kuril Islands. Subsequently, a 5.0 magnitude tremor followed at 3:07 PM.

According to USGS data, both quakes took place at a depth of 23.8 km, with the second earthquake striking slightly deeper at 40 km within the same region.

This seismic activity adds to a series of potent earthquakes experienced in Japan this year. Notably, earlier in the month, tsunami warnings were issued along the southwestern coast following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines.

In a similar incident on May 5, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the western prefecture of Ishikawa, resulting in injuries and structural damage. The northern island of Hokkaido also experienced powerful earthquakes in February, March, and August.