A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Japan on April 20, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), prompting tsunami warnings and advisories along parts of the coastline.
Preliminary data shows the quake hit about 62 miles (100 km) off the eastern coast of Miyako. The USGS warned that hazardous tsunami waves could affect areas within a 186-mile (300-km) radius of the epicenter.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for sections of the Sanriku Coast, with lower-level advisories in surrounding areas. Authorities are continuing to assess the situation.
Japan lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and tsunami risk.
With many earthquakes occurring on fault lines out at sea, tsunamis can be a very real threat. Even if you and your home are unscathed in a strong earthquake, you might need to evacuate to higher ground to avoid an oncoming wave. But how long do you have to escape? And how should you go about it?
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