Strong Earthquake Strikes Off the Coast of Northeastern Japan

A strong, magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Japan early on Thursday and was centered about 66 miles northeast of Hachinohe at a depth of 25 miles.

According to Japan's Kyodo News agency, the earthquake shook Aomori prefecture and other areas of northeastern Japan. Fortunately, no abnormalities were reported at nearby nuclear power plants and a tsunami warning was not issued.

In March 2011, a massive magnitude 9.0 earthquake and resulting tsunami ravaged the northeastern coastline of Japan. 19,000 people died or went missing, and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was badly damaged.