Tsunami advisory lifted after Japan earthquake but warnings for potential stronger quake issued

The Japanese government has warned of a slightly heightened risk of a megaquake in the next week after a strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the country’s northeastern coast on Monday, triggering a tsunami warning, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency and the US Geological Survey.

The three-meter (9.8-foot) tsunami warning was issued following the quake, but the threat was later revised down to a tsunami advisory before being lifted altogether, authorities said.

Now residents in 182 towns across seven prefectures have been urged to be on alert for a potential stronger earthquake and to confirm evacuation routes and shelters, Japan’s national broadcaster NHK reported.

The megaquake advisory is not a prediction, but officials from Japan’s Cabinet Office and the Japan Meteorological Agency said there was a 1% chance of an earthquake of magnitude 8 or stronger striking along two deep sea trenches in the Pacific in the next week, compared to a 0.1% chance during normal times, the Associated Press reported.

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