7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Japan - Tsunami warning for Miyagi (Breaking News Brief)

(Source: USGS) (HN, April 7, 2011) -- A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the North East coast of Japan in Miyagi prefecture on Thursday, shortly after 11:30  p.m. local time, triggering a tsunami warning for one prefecture, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

This is the same area where the now infamous 9.0 earthquake struck on March 11, 2011 killing more than 16,000 and damaging homes, shattering lives and where the continuing troubled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant run by TEPCO sits. 

Public broadcaster NHK reported a tsunami warning for Miyagi prefecture, saying people in that area should evacuate away from the shore to a safe place. NHK also reported a tsunami advisory for Iwate prefecture, saying a tsunami is expected to arrive in coastal regions there as well.

A one meter wave has been confirmed ashore in the region; and as of 12:30pm the Japanese authorities have cancelled the tsunami warning.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said based on all available data, "a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is not a tsunami threat to Hawaii."

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered 41 miles (66 kilomemeters) from Sendai -- one of the areas worst hit by last month's 9.0-magnitude quake -- and 73 miles (118 kilometers) from Fukushima, where a crisis has been under way at the nuclear plant since last month's tsunami.

Workers at the Fukushima nuclear plant have been evacuated; and the power supply has been cut to 2 of 3 lines at the Ongawa nuke plant in Miyagi prefecture because of the quake.

The quake was centered 207 miles (333 kilometers) from Tokyo where teh quake was felt as buildings shook, and it was 15.9 miles (25.6 kilometers) deep according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

---HUMNEWS