A massive earthquake registered by the JMA as M7.2 hit near the east coast of Honshu, Japan at 09:09 UTC (18:09 JST) on March 20, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 60 km (37 miles). USGS is reporting M7.0 at a depth of 54 km (33 miles). JMA has issued tsunami advisories and forecasts for the nearby coast.
The epicenter was located 27.5 km (17.1 miles) WNW of Ishinomaki (population 117 233) and 34 km (21 miles) E of Yamoto (population 32 028), Japan.
There are about 2 630 000 people living within 100 km (62 miles) of the epicenter.
1 029 000 people are estimated to have felt strong shaking and 2 340 000 moderate.