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Earthquakes active this week near Honshu, Japan

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September 18, 2011

This past week, September 11-18, 2011, was active for earthquakes off the east coast of Honshu, Japan – the same area struck by the destructive 9.0 magnitude Tohoku quake and accompanying tsunami in March 2011. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has reported 12 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or above during the past seven days, including a strong 6.7-magnitude quake two days ago. The most recent quake was 5.6 magnitude, earlier today (September 18, 2011).

The 6.7-magnitude undersea quake off the east coast of Honshu, Japan struck on Friday, September 16, 2011, at 19:26:41 UTC (Saturday, September 17, 2011, at 04:26:41 a.m. at epicenter).

USGS page on 6.7 magnitude Japan earthquake on September 16

USGS page on 5.6-magnitude Japan earthquake on September 18

USGS page on earthquakes around globe magnitude 5 or greater past seven days (week of September 11-18, 2011)

There have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties and no widespread tsunami warning. Just a noticeably active week for earthquakes in Japan, which is located along the Ring of Fire around the Pacific Ocean, a region of the world prone to earthquakes.

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September 18, 2011

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Deborah Byrd

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Deborah Byrd (asteroid 3505 Byrd) helps edit EarthSky.org and is a frequent host of EarthSky videos. Deborah created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named in her honor in 1990, a Public Service Award from the National Science Board in 2003, and the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society in 2020. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.