Japan Earthquake

On February 26, 2010, news agency CNN reported that Japan's Ryukyu Islands, Okinawa, experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The location is approximately 50 miles from the coastal city of Okinawa. Tsunami warnings were issued around the city, but as of 1:00PM PST evacuation orders had yet to be officially ordered. More on the story as it develops.http://www.cnn.com/

BreakingNewsOn reported that a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 18 miles off the coast of the Japanese island of Honshu on February 1, 2009. No tsunami warnings were issued.Asia Pacific News: Earthquake strikes off eastern Japan (February 1, 2009)

Japan is particularly prone to earthquakes because it lies near the epicenter of four tectonic plates: The Eurasian, Pacific, Philippine and North American. Because of its island terrain and the fact that earthquakes often occur beneath the ocean, tsunamis become a concern after strong quakes.

On December 3, 2008, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck near the eastern coast of Honshu, Japan.USGS: Magnitude 6.2 - NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN (December 3, 2008)

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Japan on September 11, 2008, that was felt as far away as Indonesia. Tsunami warnings were issued in response.

On May 8, 2008, a series of earthquakes centered in the Pacific Ocean east of Tokyo rocked Japan.

At 1:45 a.m., a 6.8 magnitude quake hit after residents experienced 4.5 hours of temblors measuring 5 or greater on the Richter Scale.

The Japanese city of Iwaki was struck by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on November 26, 2007.

• Asia Pacific News: Earthquake strikes off eastern Japan (February 1, 2009)