Arab News Japan

TOKYO: An earthquake observing a maximum seismic intensity of 4 struck Miyagi prefecture at around 11:55 on Friday, Japan metrological agency reported.

The epicenter of the trembler was off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture with a magnitude of 5.2 at a depth of approximately 50km.

The agency said there is no need to worry about the tsunami caused by this earthquake.

Seismic intensities of 4  and 3 were observed in some cities and towns in Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures.

An eyewitness told local media that the ground noise during the quake was frightening, and the sway was vertical.

The agency defines level 4 as being felt by most people even if they are walking and likely to awake people who are sleeping. It causes hanging objects to swing significantly. Level 3 can be felt by most people staying still and likely to make plates in cupboards rattle.

Friday’s earthquake follows another one with a seismic intensity of 3 that hit Hokkaido and Aomori Prefecture yesterday, on February 17, at around 6:17 pm. The depth of the epicenter was about 60 km off the southern coast of Hokkaido, with a magnitude estimated to be 4.9.