Tsunami warnings for waves of up to {{cvt|3|m}}<ref name=”tokyo”/> were issued along the Pacific coasts of Aomori, [[Iwate Prefecture|Iwate]], and [[Hokkaido]] Prefectures,<ref>{{Cite web |title=青森県で震度6強の地震…青森、北海道、岩手に津波警報 津波注意報発表の地域一覧…12月8日23時15分発生 {{!}} 社会 {{!}} 福井のニュース |url=https://www.fukuishimbun.co.jp/articles/-/2477287 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=福井新聞ONLINE |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/66424 |title=BULLETIN: M7.6 quake strikes northeastern Japan, tsunami warning issued |work=Kyodo News |date=8 December 2025}}</ref> while a tsunami advisory was issued in [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]] and [[Fukushima Prefecture]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20251209_02/ |title=Strong earthquake hits northern Japan, tsunami warning issued |work=NHK |date=8 December 2025}}</ref> The [[Pacific Tsunami Warning Center]] said hazardous waves were possible as far as {{cvt|1000|km}} from the epicenter, affecting the coasts of Japan and Russia.<ref name=aj”/>
Tsunami warnings for waves of up to {{cvt|3|m}}<ref name=”tokyo”/> were issued along the Pacific coasts of Aomori, [[Iwate Prefecture|Iwate]], and [[Hokkaido]] Prefectures,<ref>{{Cite web |title=青森県で震度6強の地震…青森、北海道、岩手に津波警報 津波注意報発表の地域一覧…12月8日23時15分発生 {{!}} 社会 {{!}} 福井のニュース |url=https://www.fukuishimbun.co.jp/articles/-/2477287 |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=福井新聞ONLINE |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/66424 |title=BULLETIN: M7.6 quake strikes northeastern Japan, tsunami warning issued |work=Kyodo News |date=8 December 2025}}</ref> while a tsunami advisory was issued in [[Miyagi Prefecture|Miyagi]] and [[Fukushima Prefecture]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20251209_02/ |title=Strong earthquake hits northern Japan, tsunami warning issued |work=NHK |date=8 December 2025}}</ref> The [[Pacific Tsunami Warning Center]] said hazardous waves were possible as far as {{cvt|1000|km}} from the epicenter, affecting the coasts of Japan and Russia.<ref name=aj”/>
Waves reaching {{cvt|50|cm}} were observed in [[Kuji, Iwate|Kuji]] and [[Urakawa, Hokkaido|Urakawa]], while waves reaching {{cvt|40|cm}} were observed in [[Mutsu, Aomori|Mutsu]]. In [[Hachinohe]] and [[Erimo, Hokkaido|Erimo]], wave heights reached {{cvt|30|cm}}, and in [[Tomakomai]], [[Shiraoi, Hokkaido|Shiraoi]], [[Kamaishi]], and [[Ishinomaki]] it was {{cvt|20|cm}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=JMA Latest Tsunami Information |url=https://www.jma.go.jp/bosai/map.html#5/42.529/141.692/&elem=warn&contents=tsunami&lang=en |access-date=8 December 2025}}</ref>
Waves reaching {{cvt|50|cm}} were observed in [[Kuji, Iwate|Kuji]] and [[Urakawa, Hokkaido|Urakawa]], while waves reaching {{cvt|40|cm}} were observed in [[Mutsu, Aomori|Mutsu]]. In [[Hachinohe]] and [[Erimo, Hokkaido|Erimo]], wave heights reached {{cvt|30|cm}}, and in [[Tomakomai]], [[Shiraoi, Hokkaido|Shiraoi]], [[Kamaishi]], and [[Ishinomaki]] it was {{cvt|20|cm}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=JMA Latest Tsunami Information |url=https://www.jma.go.jp/bosai/map.html#5/42.529/141.692/&elem=warn&contents=tsunami&lang=en |access-date=8 December 2025}}</ref>
==Impact==
==Impact==
Earthquake off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, Japan
On 8 December 2025, at 23:15:11 JST (14:15:11 UTC), a 7.6 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Aomori Prefecture, Sanriku, Japan.[1] It generated tsunamis that reached heights of up to 40 cm (16 in) along the coast of northern Japan.
Earthquake
The earthquake occurred on 8 December 2025 at 14:15 UTC with an epicenter off the coast of Aomori Prefecture. According to the United States Geological Survey, it was caused by thrust faulting at a depth of 53.1 km (33.0 mi).[1] The Japan Meteorological Agency measured a maximum intensity of upper 6 on the Shindo scale in Hachinohe.[2] Shaking was felt as far as Tokyo[3] and lasted for more than 30 seconds.[4] A 5.5 aftershock occurred at 23:33 JST (14:33 UTC).[5]
Tsunami
Tsunami warnings for waves of up to 3 m (9.8 ft)[3] were issued along the Pacific coasts of Aomori, Iwate, and Hokkaido Prefectures,[6][7] while a tsunami advisory was issued in Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures.[8] The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous waves were possible as far as 1,000 km (620 mi) from the epicenter, affecting the coasts of Japan and Russia.[9]
Waves reaching up to 70 cm (28 in) were observed in Iwate,[10] while 50 cm (20 in) waves were observed in Kuji and Urakawa, while waves reaching 40 cm (16 in) were observed in Mutsu. In Hachinohe and Erimo, wave heights reached 30 cm (12 in), and in Tomakomai, Shiraoi, Kamaishi, and Ishinomaki it was 20 cm (7.9 in).[11]
Impact
Services on the Tōhoku Shinkansen between Shin-Aomori Station and Fukushima Station were suspended.[12][13] Power outages were reported in Iwate and Hokkaido.[14] Around 2,700 houses in Aomori Prefecture lost electricity.[15]
Several people were injured at a hotel in Hachinohe.[9] Two fires occurred in Aomori city,[16] while one person was injured in a road collapse in Aomori Prefecture.[17] Two people were injured in falls in Hokkaido.[18]
Response
The Japanese government established a task force to respond to the earthquake.[2]
