big jolt #2

Strong earthquake strikes off northeastern Japan

TOKYO (AP) -- A strong earthquake struck Friday off the coast of northeastern Japan in the same region that was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Authorities issued a warning of a possible tsunami.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 and struck in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at 5:18 p.m. (0818 GMT). The epicenter was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) beneath the seabed.

The warning said the tsunami could be as high as 2 meters (2.19 yards).

NHK television broke off regular programming to warn that a strong quake was due to hit shortly before the earthquake struck. Afterward, the announcer repeatedly urged all near the coast to flee to higher ground.

http://mainichi.jp/english/english/newsselect/news/20121207p2g00m0dm072000c.html

東日本のみなさん，大丈夫でしたか。家の駐車場にとめていたF10の警報装置がビービーなるほど大きな揺れで，去年の悪夢がよみがえってきました。今朝5時のは余震だったのでしょうか。それともこれこそが今後の大震災の予兆なのでしょうか。（UG）