This article is about the earthquake that happened in March 2021. For the February 2021 earthquake that happened in Fukushima Prefecture, see 2021 Fukushima earthquake.
On March 20, 2021, at 18:09 JST (09:09 UTC). The magnitude 6.9 or 7.0 earthquake struck offshore east of Tōhoku, Japan at a depth of 54.0 kilometers (33.6 mi) to 60 kilometers (37 mi).[3][4] It had a maximum JMA intensity of Shindo 5+ while on the Mercalli intensity scale, it earned a rating of VII (Very strong).[5] Power outages and some slight damage in Miyagi was reported.[6]
The earthquake occurred as the result of thrust faulting near the subduction zone interface plate boundary between the Pacific and North Americaplates. Moment tensor solutions indicate that slip occurred either on a moderately dipping fault striking to the south, or a moderately dipping fault striking to the north-northeast, consistent with the east–west oriented compression expected in this region. At the location of this earthquake, the Pacific plate moves approximately westward relative to the North American plate at a velocity of 70 mm (2.8 in) per year, subducting beneath Japan at the Japan Trench and dipping to the west beneath Japan. The earthquake epicenter is located 70 km (43 mi) west of the epicenter of the March 2011 earthquake. It came just nine days after the tenth anniversary of the March 11, 2011 disaster, and just over a month since a MJMA 7.3 earthquake struck south of the March 20 event.[9]
Intensity
Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity by selected location (only locations with Shindo 5 Lower and higher are shown)[4][5]
The earthquake caused 11 minor injuries in the prefectures of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima.[19] Many of the injured were from Miyagi Prefecture. Four individuals from Sendai, Miyagi endured slight injuries. In Morioka, Iwate, a woman fell and suffered cuts.[20] Two elderly women aged 90 and 70 sustained minor head and shoulder injuries respectively when they were struck by furniture in Iwanuma, Miyagi.[21] There was one injury each reported in Date, Ishinomaki, Kesennuma and Tōno.[2]
Power outages were reported in some parts of Tohoku, forcing the suspension of bullet train services by the East Japan Railway Company.[22] In Shiogama, a six-meter (20 ft) wall supporting an inclined surface breached and collapsed during the earthquake.[20]
A New Japan Pro Wrestling event in Sendai was temporarily halted mid-match due to the earthquake, which was captured by cameras recording the show. The event resumed approximately half an hour later after safety checks were carried out.[25]
Tsunami warning
Following the earthquake, a tsunami advisory was issued at 18:11 JST for Miyagi Prefecture for waves of up to 1 meter (3 ft 3 in).[26] Despite the warnings, no tsunamis were observed; this is because the earthquake had ruptured a deeper portion of the subduction zone.[21][27] The tsunami advisory was then withdrawn at around 19:30 JST.[28]
Other events
On May 1, at 10:27 local time, a Mw 6.9 or MJMA 6.6 earthquake struck the southern tip of the Oshika Peninsula.[29] The earthquake had a depth of 47.3 km or 66 km and a maximum intensity of VI (Strong) or Shindo 5 upper.[30] According to the Japan Meteorological Survey, the earthquake would not be considered an aftershock of the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake as such announcements had ceased as of April 1 of 2021.[31] This is due to the decreasing rate of earthquakes which made it harder to determine if events like those of May 1 were actual aftershocks.[32] The agency also could not determine if this event was related to the earthquake of March 20.[33]
Minor damage including broken windows and a water pipe rupture was reported. The earthquake resulted in the suspension of Shinkansen services in the Tohoku region. In addition, three people sustained minor injuries. Two of the victims were using a hot spring at Onagawa Station when the quake struck and shattered window panels.[33] A third individual from Soma City in Fukushima Prefecture fell while shopping at a supermarket and was taken to a hospital for treatment.[33]
^ ab"宮城県沖を震源とする地震による被害及び 消防機関等の対応状況（第６報"(PDF). Fire and Disaster Management Agency Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters (in Japanese). 22 March 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
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