2021 Fukushima earthquake

This article is about the earthquake that happened in February 2021. For the March 2021 earthquake that happened in Miyagi Prefecture, see March 2021 Miyagi earthquake.
For other uses, see Fukushima earthquake.

2021 Fukushima earthquake
福島県沖地震
JMA seismic intensity map
2021 Fukushima earthquake is located in Tohoku, Japan
2021 Fukushima earthquake
UTC time2021-02-13 14:07:49
ISC event619834062
USGS-ANSSComCat
Local date13 February 2021
Local time23:07 JST
Magnitude7.3 MJMA
7.1 Mw
Depth55.0 km (34 mi) (JMA)
44.0 km (27 mi) (USGS)
Epicenter37°43′12″N 141°45′43″E / 37.720°N 141.762°E / 37.720; 141.762
FaultJapan Trench
TypeReverse
Total damage¥138 billion (US$1.2 billion)[1][2]
Max. intensityJMA 6+–JMA 7[3]

MMI VIII (Severe)
Peak acceleration1.46 g[4]
1432 gal[4]
Tsunami20 cm (0.66 ft)
LandslidesYes
AftershocksMultiple. The largest is an Mw 6.0.
Casualties3 dead, 186 injured,[5] 16 serious

An intense and deadly seismic event struck offshore east of Tōhoku, Japan. The MJMA  7.3 or Mw  7.1 earthquake occurred on a Saturday night at 23:07 JST (14:07 UTC) on 13 February at a focal depth of 44.0 kilometers (27.3 mi).[6] It had a maximum JMA intensity of Shindo 6+ to Shindo 7 while on the Mercalli intensity scale, earned a rating of VIII (Severe).[7] The earthquake was followed by multiple aftershocks within less than an hour, three of which registering magnitude 5.3. The earthquake itself has been considered an aftershock of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake which had occurred almost ten years prior.[8]

The earthquake left three people dead, and at least 186 injured.[9][10] It also inflicted significant structural damage across the Tōhoku and Kanto regions.[11][12][13][14] This earthquake resulted in both insurance claims and losses exceeding ¥138 billion (US$1.2 billion).[15] Small tsunami waves were also observed without any damage. Because of its proximity to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, the event provoked concerns of radiation leaks but was dismissed soon after. Although there were no changes to the level of radiation, cooling water used in two of the reactor units was discovered leaking.

  1. ^ "福島県災害対策本部員会議（第２３回" [Meeting of Fukushima Prefecture Disaster Management Headquarters (23rd)] (PDF). pref.fukushima.lg.jp (in Japanese). Fukushima Prefecture Disaster Management Headquarters Conference. 12 April 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  2. ^ "令和3年2月13日福島県沖を震源とする地震に伴う被害状況等について（令和3年4月9日）" [Reiwa 3 February 13, Fukushima prefectural earthquake source and the damage situation of the earthquake and its victims, etc. (Reiwa 3 April 9)] (PDF). pref.miyagi.jp (in Japanese). Miyagi Prefecture Disaster Management Headquarters Office. 9 April 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Bosai2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b "「M8余震あり得る」 福島・宮城震度6強、揺れは熊本地震超え". Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). 14 February 2021. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  5. ^ "Government scrambles to assess damage after strong quake wreaks havoc in northeastern Japan". japantimes.co.jp. 13 February 2021. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  6. ^ "M 7.1 - 70 km ENE of Namie, Japan". earthquake.usgs.gov. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolts Fukushima area". The Japan Times. 13 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  8. ^ Rich, Motoko; Dooley, Ben (13 February 2021). "Powerful Earthquake Strikes Japan". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 22 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference nhk220223 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Fire and Disaster Management Agency. "福島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１６報）" (PDF) (in Japanese). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  11. ^ "CAT-i Bulletin: Mw 7.1 Fukushima Earthquake, Japan February 13". gccapitalideas.com. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference ASP2K6D8TP2KUTIL023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ "福島・宮城で震度６強、１５１人がけが 建物や交通に被害" (in Japanese). TBS News. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference GIAJ was invoked but never defined (see the help page).