A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan early Wednesday morning, with tremors felt by some at the Olympic Games, according to initial reports from Japan’s Meteorological Agency.
Athletes and journalists in Tokyo reported several aftershocks, but there is no risk of a tsunami or any damage reported.
No event disruptions or major damage has been reported from any of the offshore quakes, which ranged from magnitude 4.1 to 5.8, and local authorities have ruled out a tsunami threat to the city that’s part of the notorious “Ring of Fire.” But media types in town to cover the Games of the XXXII Olympiad weighed in on social media about the shaking that was reported at about 5:33 a.m. Wednesday local time.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck the coast of the Ibaraki prefecture in Japan, with shaking felt by some attending the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The earthquake hit about 5:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, according to reports from the Japan Meteorological Agency, which monitors seismic activity.
The JMA suggested the earthquake’s epicenter was 40 km — or about 25 miles — deep off the coast of Japan. The agency added that there was no threat of a tsunami.
Journalists in Japan said the earthquake lasted between 20 seconds to 3 minutes. Each reported mild rumbling.
Japan is no stranger to earthquakes, as the country rests over three converging tectonic plates. When just one of those tectonic plates shifts, an earthquake can occur.
Japanese officials specifically created Tokyo’s Olympic venues to withstand earthquakes and natural disasters. According to Firstpost, the Ariake volleyball arena contains “shock-absorbing giant rubber cushions” to curtail shaking while the Olympic Village is protected by sea walls that can protect against tsunamis reaching 6.5 feet.
