Japan Issues ‘Megaquake’ Advisory After 7.7 Magnitude Earthquake

Japanese authorities have issued an advisory warning of a potential “megaquake” this week, following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the northern coast yesterday.

The major earthquake hit off the Coast of Sanriku at 4:53 p.m. local time (3:53 a.m. EST). According to Reuters, tsunami waves had been detected within hours of the tremor, prompting the Cabinet Office and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) to issue a tsunami advisory, warning residents away from coastal areas.

The tsunami advisory has since been downgraded to a warning. There have been no reports of casualties or major damages.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, meanwhile, has lifted its potential tsunami threat warning to “no tsunami warning, advisory, watch, or threat.”

Still, aftershocks have been recorded around northeast Japan since the initial quake. In a press conference, a government official said that the chance of a magnitude 8 or stronger earthquake off Japan’s northeast coast will be 1% this week—low, but 10-times higher than the usual probability of 0.1%.

“Please take anti-disaster steps, while embracing the idea that one must protect one’s own life,” said an official.