2026 Sanriku Earthquake

Overview

On April 20, 2026, at 07:53 UTC (16:53 local time), a major magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the Sanriku Coast near Iwate Prefecture in northern Honshu, Japan, at a depth of 35 km along the Japan Trench. Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) initially measured the event at magnitude 7.7. Tsunami warnings were immediately issued for the Tohoku coast, and waves up to 80 cm were recorded at Kuji Port in Iwate Prefecture, with 40 cm waves at Miyako Port. Evacuation orders were issued to 82,811 households covering 175,957 people across 13 cities, 21 towns, and 6 villages in Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures. Two people sustained injuries, and bullet train services were temporarily halted. JMA issued a rare Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory, warning of the possibility of a stronger earthquake through April 27. An estimated 333,000 people experienced strong shaking and 3.8 million felt moderate shaking. The Japanese Red Cross Society mobilized relief teams and opened evacuation centers, while the IFRC coordinated international support.