7.3 Earthquake, Small Tsunami Hit Japan

A strong earthquake struck this morning off the coast of northeastern Japan in the same region that was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami last year. A city in the region reported that a small tsunami had hit, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Officials said the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 and struck in the Pacific off the coast of Miyagi prefecture. The epicenter was 6.2 miles beneath the seabed.

After the quake, which caused buildings in Tokyo to sway for at least several minutes, authorities issued a warning that a tsunami potentially as high as about 6.5 feet could hit. Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi, reported a tsunami of about 3 feet. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no risk of a widespread tsunami. (More Japan stories.)