Overview

• The earthquake struck at 17:37 JST on May 31 about 84 km SSE of Kushiro and 136 km SE of Obihiro at a depth of 10–44 km.
• Japan Meteorological Agency forecasts sea level fluctuations under 20 cm along eastern Hokkaido with no flooding expected.
• No tsunami warning followed the tremor with the USGS issuing a Green alert indicating a low likelihood of casualties or damage.
• The shaking was felt by an estimated 586,000 people and was followed by aftershocks that left residents uneasy.
• Hokkaido’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire makes moderate quakes common even as most local buildings withstand seismic activity.