Tsunami Waves Spotted After Magnitude 7.6 Earthquake Rocks Coast Of Japan

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Pacific Ocean approximately 45 miles west of Misawa, Japan at around 11:15 p.m. local time, shaking northern parts of the country.

Per the USGS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of around 33 miles beneath the surface.

Japan‘s government has since downgraded the initial tsunami warning to a tsunami advisory for parts of the eastern coast of Honshu and Hokkaido, with a number of prefectures issuing coastal evacuation orders. (RELATED: Alaska Blasted With Over 20 Aftershocks After Getting Rocked With Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake)

Residents were urged to follow the evacuation orders and remain in safe areas until all tsunami alerts were officially lifted.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned of possible tsunami waves up to 9 feet high in prefectures closest to the epicenter, while the highest waves observed so far have reached 2.2 feet.

WATCH: Moment 7.6-magnitude earthquake hits northern Japan. Video from a local TV station pic.twitter.com/uDmpxnWrIX

— BNO News Live (@BNODesk) December 8, 2025

A tsunami advisory was also issued for Fukushima Prefecture, the location of the nuclear disaster triggered by the March 2011 earthquake.

The USGS confirmed a magnitude 5.5 aftershock struck approximately 15 minutes after the main earthquake.

A stronger aftershock of magnitude 6.7 struck at approximately 7:15 a.m. local time.

A Japanese high speed rail line suspended operations following the earthquake.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the magnitude 7.6 earthquake posed no tsunami threat to Hawaii. Similarly, the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Guam gave confirmation there wasn’t any risk to Guam or the broader Mariana Islands, located about 1,500 miles southeast of Japan.