A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan near Aomori Prefecture on December 8, 2025, at 23:15 JST, triggering tsunami alerts and waves measuring up to 70 cm along the Sanriku coast of northern Japan. Approximately 100,000 people were evacuated following widespread emergency warnings. The shaking reached severe intensities, notably an upper 6 on Japan’s Shindo scale in Hachinohe, with effects felt as far as Tokyo for over 30 seconds.
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake originated at a depth of about 53 km due to thrust faulting. The epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, about 50 miles off Aomori Prefecture, Sanriku region, northern Honshu, Japan.
The tsunami waves were observed with max height 70 cm in Kuji and lesser heights along the coast. The ground acceleration reached up to 0.472 g recorded at Hachinohe. The affected population is estimated to be around 100,000 people who were evacuated following tsunami alerts and emergency warnings.
The Sanriku coast of northern Japan is a seismically active area along the convergent boundary between the Pacific and North American plates. It is prone to large thrust earthquakes and associated tsunamis, historically known for destructive events like the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Emergency services are conducting damage assessment; no verified casualty numbers have been reported immediately after the event. The psychological and economic impact is expected to be significant, especially for vulnerable coastal communities and fisheries dependent on the ocean.
The event underscores the continuing seismic risk for northern Japan and the importance of tidal warning systems and evacuation protocols. The Japan Meteorological Agency and the United States Geological Survey will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, coastal defenses and disaster preparedness plans are expected to be reinforced and reviewed. International monitoring stations such as the USGS will continue to track global seismic activity for quick data dissemination.
The local government and emergency services have coordinated the evacuation of approximately 100,000 people from vulnerable coastal areas. National emergency agencies have activated disaster response protocols following the event.
As the situation continues to unfold, residents are advised to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders if necessary. The Japanese government has assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure public safety and minimize damage.
The international community is also closely monitoring the situation, with offers of assistance and support pouring in from around the world. As the people of Japan come to terms with the aftermath of this powerful earthquake, they can take comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone in this time of need.
