Earthquake rocked Japan's western coastal prefecture of Ishikawa

    Source: USGS

Earthquake rocked Japan's western coastal prefecture of Ishikawa

The Meteorological Agency said an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 rocked Japan's western coastal prefecture of Ishikawa on Sunday, but there were no indications that it would cause a tsunami.

At 3:08 p.m., a magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). According to the agency, it measured a lower 6 on Japan's 7-point intensity scale in portions of the Noto Peninsula, which means it was powerful enough to wedge doors shut, topple furniture, and dislodge wall tiles.

Initial indications, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters in Tokyo, showed that the quake had caused no substantial damage. He stated that he had given the government instructions to collect data from Ishikawa the area of the earthquake, share it with the public, and take emergency steps.

Hirokazu Matsuno, a top government spokesperson, said he got word that nuclear facilities were running smoothly. Hokuriku Electric Power Co.'s Shika nuclear power station located around 45 kilometers southwest of the quake's epicenter.

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, there have been no power disruptions as a result of the quake in the areas served by Hokuriku Electric, Kansai Electric Power Co., Tohoku Electric Power Co., and Electric Power Development Co. There have been no reports of damage to oil refineries, according to the statement.

Following the quake, high-speed trains connecting Tokyo and Kanazawa in the Hokuriku area ran properly, according to national broadcaster NHK, citing the operator East Japan Railway Co.

Brief description of Ishikawa Japan where the earthquake hit.

Ishikawa sits on the coast of the Sea of Japan and contains the majority of the Noto Peninsula, which forms Toyama Bay, one of Japan's largest bays.

Ishikawa Prefecture is located in the ancient Hokuriku area and was formerly a major population hub with some of Japan's wealthiest han (domains) during the feudal era. Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en, one of Japan's Three Great Gardens, Nyotaimori ("body sushi"), and Kutani ceramics are all found in Ishikawa Prefecture.

Ishikawa Prefecture has a population of 1,140,573 people (as of 31 October 2019) and covers 4,186 square kilometers (1,616 sq mi). Ishikawa Prefecture is bordered on the east by Toyama Prefecture, on the southeast by Gifu Prefecture, and on the south by Fukui Prefecture.