A wave approaches Miyako City after a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck the area March 11, 2011. (Photo : REUTERS/Ho New)
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) lifted its tsunami advisory hours after magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit the off the Sanriku coast in northeastern Japan.
The struck the coast Tuesday morning and was followed by minor tsunamis, said the US Geological Survey (USGS) and JMA.
At 8:37 a.m., a 10 centimeter wave was observed along the shores of Miyako, eastern Iwate. JMA then warned a tsunami of one meter at most could hit the region. Minutes passed and a 20 centimeter tsunami struck off Kuji town, just north of Miyako.
The USGS recorded the earthquake's magnitude was 6.8 while JMA said it was 6.9. The earthquake's epicenter was located 10 kilometers below ground and struck around after 8:00 a.m. (local time).
JMA said the epicenter was located 210 kilometers east of the town Miyako. On the bright side, there were no accounts of injuries or casualties after the quake.
More than 1,350 households were evacuated after the city of Ofunato in Iwate was warned of the tsunami.
Kozo Hirano, an official in Otsuchi Town told Japan's public broadcaster NHK that Japan has an emergency broadcast and they're using it to advise people to keep away from the sea during earthquakes.
"The quake was pretty strong and lasted a long time so I thought there would be a tsunami warning." he added.
There was no major change in sea levels, especially in Miyako.
