Strong M6.0 Earthquake Jolts East Coast of Honshu, Japan
Tokyo, 4 October 2025 — A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, at 15:21 UTC (00:21 local time) on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ).
Epicenter and Depth
The quake’s epicenter was located approximately:
- 56 km east of Tomioka
- 59 km east of Namie
- 65 km east-southeast of Minami-Sōma
- 78 km northeast of Iwaki
- 112 km east-southeast of Fukushima City
It struck at a depth of 46.8 km (29 miles), with no population exposed to moderate or severe shaking.
Impact and Alerts
- An estimated 4.37 million people experienced light shaking, while 28.79 million felt weak tremors.
- The USGS issued a Green alert, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or economic damage.
- No tsunami warning was issued, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.
Infrastructure and Vulnerability
Japan’s infrastructure is generally resilient to seismic activity, though vulnerable structures such as heavy wood frame and confined masonry buildings exist in the region. Authorities are monitoring for secondary hazards such as landslides or fires, which have historically followed seismic events in the area.
Regional Seismic Context
Honshu lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active zones in the world. The region has experienced multiple significant earthquakes in recent decades, including the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Sources: The Watchers, Times Now, GDACS.
