Written by on . Last updated December 2nd, 2024.

A shallow and strong Magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck in the Sea of Japan 55 kilometer from Kanazawa, Japan in the evening of Tuesday November 26th, 2024. Around 10 million people have been exposed to shaking.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Sea of Japan, 38 kilometers (24 mi) off the coast of Japan, 55 kilometer north-northwest of Kanazawa in Ishikawa. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time: Nov 26, 2024 22:47 (Tokyo Time)
- Nov 26, 2024 13:47 Universal Time.
Location: 55 km NNW of Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan.
Coordinates 37°2'54"N 136°20'57"E.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude: MAG 6.1
Detected by 73 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.036 .
Depth: 10 km (6 mi)
A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:
VI
Strong

On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk: Low tsunami risk
Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's.
Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 10 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 10 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 14,150 people were exposed to level VI. At this level, strong shaking and probably light damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by a large group of people (around 4.9 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected. All exposure to shaking was within the borders of Japan .

People MMI Level Shaking Damage
0
I
Not noticable None
0
II
Very weak None
4,919,000
III
Weak Probably none
4,511,000
IV
Light Likely none
957,200
V
Moderate Very light
14,150
VI
Strong Light
0
VII
Very Strong Moderate
0
VIII
Severe Moderate to heavy
0
IX
Violent Heavy
0
X
Extreme Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake may have been felt in Japan . Located 43 kilometer (27 mi) west-northwest of the epicenter of this earthquake, Hakui (Ishikawa, Japan) is the nearest significant population center. The intensity of shaking and damage in Hakui is estimated to be around level VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (strong shaking, probably light damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Tokyo is located 335 km to the east-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Yokohama is located 346 km to the east-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Nagoya is located 214 km to the south-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Distance Place Intensity (MMI)
43 km (27 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Hakui

Ishikawa, Japan.
VI
Strong
53 km (33 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Anamizu

Ishikawa, Japan.
V
Moderate
55 km (34 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Kanazawa

Ishikawa, Japan.
V
Moderate
55 km (34 mi)
SE from epicenter
Tsubata

Ishikawa, Japan.
V
Moderate
55 km (34 mi)
E from epicenter
Nanao

Ishikawa, Japan.
V
Moderate
61 km (38 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Himimachi

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
62 km (39 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Nonoichi

Ishikawa, Japan.
V
Moderate
62 km (39 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Matsutō

Ishikawa, Japan.
V
Moderate
68 km (42 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Takaoka

Toyama, Japan.
V
Moderate
71 km (44 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Nishishinminato

Toyama, Japan.
V
Moderate
71 km (44 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Tsurugi-asahimachi

Ishikawa, Japan.
IV
Light
72 km (45 mi)
S from epicenter
Komatsu

Ishikawa, Japan.
V
Moderate
72 km (45 mi)
SE from epicenter
Fukumitsu

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
73 km (45 mi)
SE from epicenter
Nanto-shi

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
86 km (53 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Toyama

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
88 km (55 mi)
SE from epicenter
Yatsuomachi-higashikumisaka

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
94 km (58 mi)
S from epicenter
Mikuni

Fukui, Japan.
IV
Light
96 km (60 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Namerikawa

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
97 km (60 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Uozu

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
98 km (61 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Kamiichi

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
99 km (62 mi)
E from epicenter
Kurobe-shi

Toyama, Japan.
IV
Light
100 km (62 mi)
S from epicenter
Maruoka

Fukui, Japan.
V
Moderate
110 km (68 mi)
S from epicenter
Fukui-shi

Fukui, Japan.
IV
Light
119 km (74 mi)
S from epicenter
Ono

Fukui, Japan.
IV
Light
123 km (76 mi)
S from epicenter
Sabae

Fukui, Japan.
IV
Light
128 km (80 mi)
S from epicenter
Takefu

Fukui, Japan.
IV
Light
130 km (81 mi)
SE from epicenter
Takayama

Gifu, Japan.
IV
Light
158 km (98 mi)
S from epicenter
Tsuruga

Fukui, Japan.
IV
Light
168 km (104 mi)
E from epicenter
Jōetsu

Niigata, Japan.
IV
Light
169 km (105 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Nagano

Nagano, Japan.
III
Weak
170 km (106 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Matsumoto

Nagano, Japan.
III
Weak
184 km (114 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Gifu-shi

Gifu, Japan.
IV
Light
187 km (116 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Ueda

Nagano, Japan.
III
Weak
187 km (116 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Kakamigahara

Gifu, Japan.
IV
Light
190 km (118 mi)
S from epicenter
Ōgaki

Gifu, Japan.
IV
Light
199 km (124 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Ichinomiya

Aichi, Japan.
IV
Light
200 km (124 mi)
S from epicenter
Hikone

Shiga, Japan.
IV
Light
208 km (129 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Kasugai

Aichi, Japan.
III
Weak
214 km (133 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Nagoya

Aichi, Japan.
230 km (143 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Toyota

Aichi, Japan.
232 km (144 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan.
233 km (145 mi)
S from epicenter
Yokkaichi

Mie, Japan.
245 km (152 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Okazaki

Aichi, Japan.
251 km (156 mi)
SE from epicenter
Kōfu

Yamanashi, Japan.
III
Weak
252 km (157 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Niigata

Niigata, Japan.
254 km (158 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Maebashi

Gunma, Japan.
256 km (159 mi)
SW from epicenter
Tottori

Tottori, Japan.
III
Weak
256 km (159 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Hirakata

Ōsaka, Japan.
267 km (166 mi)
S from epicenter
Nara-shi

Nara, Japan.
273 km (170 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Osaka

Ōsaka, Japan.
273 km (170 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Amagasaki

Hyōgo, Japan.
275 km (171 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Nishinomiya-hama

Hyōgo, Japan.
282 km (175 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Kobe

Hyōgo, Japan.
285 km (177 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Sakai

Ōsaka, Japan.
289 km (180 mi)
SSE from epicenter
Hamamatsu

Shizuoka, Japan.
294 km (183 mi)
SE from epicenter
Shizuoka

Shizuoka, Japan.
319 km (198 mi)
E from epicenter
Utsunomiya

Tochigi, Japan.
322 km (200 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Saitama

Saitama, Japan.
333 km (207 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Minato

Wakayama, Japan.
335 km (208 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan.
343 km (213 mi)
WSW from epicenter
Matsue

Shimane, Japan.
344 km (214 mi)
SW from epicenter
Okayama

Okayama, Japan.
346 km (215 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Yokohama

Kanagawa, Japan.
359 km (223 mi)
E from epicenter
Kōriyama

Fukushima, Japan.
366 km (227 mi)
SW from epicenter
Takamatsu

Kagawa, Japan.
369 km (229 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Tokushima

Tokushima, Japan.
374 km (232 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Chiba

Chiba, Japan.
374 km (232 mi)
E from epicenter
Mito

Ibaraki, Japan.
377 km (234 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Yamagata

Yamagata, Japan.
391 km (243 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Shiroishi

Miyagi, Japan.
392 km (244 mi)
SW from epicenter
Fukuyama

Hirochima, Japan.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is VI.

I Not felt
II Weak
III Weak
IV Light
V Moderate
VI Strong
VII Very Strong
VIII Severe
IX Violent
X Extreme
Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 54 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 54 people have reported shaking in 25 places, all within Japan.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

  • Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan: 10 people.
  • Kyōto, Kyōto, Japan: 9 people.
  • Ōsaka, Ōsaka, Japan: 8 people.
  • Takayama, Gifu, Japan: 3 people.
  • Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan: 3 people.
  • Nagano, Nagano, Japan: 2 people.
  • Ōtsu, Shiga, Japan: 1 person.
  • Izumi, Ōsaka, Japan: 1 person.
  • Takaoka, Toyama, Japan: 1 person.
  • Tokyo, Tokio, Japan: 1 person.

52 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 52 smaller aftershocks. Just 4 hrs after this main shock, an earthquake measuring MAG-4.9 was detected 6 km (4 mi) east-southeast of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Classification Magnitude When Where
Main Shock
This Earthquake
M 6.1 Nov 26, 2024 22:47
(Tokyo Time)
-
Aftershock M 3.5 20 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:07 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.5 27 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:13 (Tokyo Time)
15 km (9 mi)
S from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.9 30 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:17 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 38 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:25 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.8 41 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:28 (Tokyo Time)
15 km (9 mi)
ENE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 43 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:30 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.1 46 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:33 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 49 mins later
Nov 26, 2024 23:36 (Tokyo Time)
14 km (9 mi)
ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 1 hr later
Nov 26, 2024 23:50 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.9 1 hr later
Nov 26, 2024 23:52 (Tokyo Time)
3 km (2 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.8 2 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 00:17 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.7 2 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 00:20 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.7 2 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 00:30 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.9 2 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 00:37 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 2 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 00:42 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 2 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 00:45 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 2 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 00:59 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 3 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 01:42 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 3 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 01:46 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.1 3 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 01:48 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.8 3 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 02:10 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 3 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 02:13 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (5 mi)
NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.9 4 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 02:19 (Tokyo Time)
6 km (4 mi)
ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.0 4 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 02:22 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.9 4 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 03:08 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 5 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 03:46 (Tokyo Time)
14 km (9 mi)
ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 5 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 03:49 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.2 5 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 03:55 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 5 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 04:03 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.9 5 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 04:12 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.8 6 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 04:17 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 9 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 07:50 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 9 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 08:03 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.0 13 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 11:29 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.9 14 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 12:48 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 14 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 12:51 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.7 14 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 13:01 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.1 14 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 13:04 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.2 16 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 15:01 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.7 17 hrs later
Nov 27, 2024 16:05 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 1 day later
Nov 27, 2024 23:08 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.3 1 day later
Nov 28, 2024 00:32 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.8 1 day later
Nov 28, 2024 06:14 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.7 2 days later
Nov 28, 2024 17:16 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.5 2 days later
Nov 28, 2024 17:31 (Tokyo Time)
14 km (9 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.6 2 days later
Nov 28, 2024 19:22 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.7 2 days later
Nov 28, 2024 20:19 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 2 days later
Nov 28, 2024 23:08 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.8 2 days later
Nov 29, 2024 00:45 (Tokyo Time)
14 km (9 mi)
ESE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.7 3 days later
Nov 29, 2024 12:57 (Tokyo Time)
91 km (56 mi)
NE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 3.5 3 days later
Nov 29, 2024 17:43 (Tokyo Time)
7 km (4 mi)
SE from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.0 3 days later
Nov 29, 2024 18:22 (Tokyo Time)
17 km (11 mi)
SSE from Main Shock.
Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 1st, 2024, when a 6.2 magnitude earthquake hit 45 km (28 mi) further east-northeast. An even stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck on January 1st, 2024.

In total, 4 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.1 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Low tsunami risk

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor Under Sea? MAG-6.5 or stronger? Shallow depth?
Explanation Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami.
MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes.
MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. Not this earthquake.
This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.
This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 02/12/24 13:08 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

  1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000nu90
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241126_0000146
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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