Earthquake Offshore Urakawa on January 14



On January 14, 2016 at 12:25 (JST), there was a M6.7 earthquake (maximum seismic intensity 5 Lower) at a depth of 52 km, offshore Urakawa. The focal mechanism of this event showed a reverse fault type with a compression axis in a WNW-ESE direction. This event occurred at the boundary between the Pacific and the continental plates. This event caused damage with 2 injured persons (as of January 15, Fire and Disaster Management Agency).
For the seismic activity since October 2001, in the vicinity of the recent event (Area b), there have often been earthquakes of M5.0 or over, for example, there was a M6.2 earthquake (maximum seismic intensity 5 Lower) on November 24, 2011.
For the seismic activity since January 1923, in the area around the recent event (Area c), there have often been earthquakes of M6.0 or over. "the 1982 Off-shore Urakawa Earthquake" (M7.1, maximum seismic intensity 6) caused damage with 167 injured people and 41 totally- and partially-collapsed houses (Disaster Records in 1982, 1984, Hokkaido (1984)).


Japan Meteorological Agency
[Evaluation of Seismic Activities for January 2016 (February 9, 2016)]