A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the northern coast of Japan, briefly triggering tsunami alerts and raising fresh concerns about a potential mega-quake.
Spokespersons for the Japan Meteorological Agency and Japan’s Cabinet Office said the probability of a mega-quake has increased to 1 percent — ten times higher than usual — in the days following the tremor. The quake occurred near the volatile Chishima and Japan trenches, a region known for intense seismic activity along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
While the tsunami warning was short-lived, authorities are urging coastal residents to remain cautious as aftershocks and further seismic risks persist.
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