Earthquake hits Tokyo
 

A strong earthquake shook Japan's capital and surrounding areas Sunday, halting trains and a professional baseball game, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

There was no threat of a tsunami from the quake, which was centered at a depth of 188 miles in the Izu islands off the eastern coast of Japan, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The USGS measured the quake at magnitude 7.1, while the Japan Meteorological Agency put it at 6.9.

The quake, which rattled furniture and walls in Tokyo homes, hit at 7:56 p.m. and shook the capital region, including Ibaraki, Saitama, Tochigi and Chiba prefectures, the Japanese agency said.

A baseball game in Yokohama between the Yokohama Bay Stars and Chunichi Dragons was stopped temporarily by the umpire when the quake struck. Some high-speed bullet trains also were halted, but began running again after the shaking stopped, public broadcaster NHK said.

Japan is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, and experts believe Tokyo has a 90 percent chance of being hit by a major quake over the next 50 years.

Saitama is particularly prone to earthquakes. They get many around 4.5 on the Richter scale. I don't think Tokyo will experience one like the Anshin Earthquake in 1995 in Kobe. I only experienced one in my time, in Hiroshima. It was a baby, though, and barely even rocked people. Still, the first instinct is fear.

wow this sounds really serious

near 7 magnitude??
wow!

The epicentre was off the south coast but still had a ripple effect of epic proportions. The worrying thing is that earthquakes happen all around Tokyo but, thankfully, not right under.

just like here in california,japan is part of "the ring of fire".we're always waiting for the big one.:eek:

The San Andreas faultline was nasty, as evidenced by the 1984 (?) earthquake. The Golden Gate Bridge was affected, right?

I don't want to tempt fate but the main concern is for residents of Sendai in Japan. I think they are the most vulnerable but will be fine, touch wood.

Geographically, I don't understand why Japan is especially prone to earthquakes. Can somebody explain? :)

It's a land of volcanoes and it's under the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Google 'faultlines', Yuna. Also, epicentre.