Two strong earthquakes jolt Japan
{{date|July 16, 2007}}
[[Image:Japan quake July 16.2007.jpg|right|230px|thumb|Shake map showing intensity of the first quake. Star marks the epicenter.]]
According to the [[w:United States Geological Survey|United States Geological Survey]] (USGS), at least two strong [[w:earthquake|earthquakes]] with a [[w:Richter magnitude scale|magnitude]] of 6.7 and 6.8 rocked the west coast of [[w:Honshu, Japan|Honshu, Japan]] killing 8 people and injuring hundreds. 

A two hour fire was reported at the [[w:Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant|Kashiwazaki Nuclear Power Plant]] number 6 reactor transformer, which is the biggest nuclear power facility in the world, causing radioactive water to leak into the sea. Officials at the plant state that the water will cause no damage to the surrounding environment.

The [[w:epicenter|epicenter]] of the first quake was located 65 km (40 miles) southwest of Niigata city, a major city on the west coast of Honshu, of 55.4 km (34.4 miles). The second quake, a 6.8, was recorded almost 12 hours later approximately 140 km (90 miles) northwest of Fukui Island, Honshu, Japan and had a depth of 350.7 km (217.9 miles).

"Many people told me they want to return to their normal lives as quickly as possible. The government will make every effort to help with recovery," said Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.

The [[w:National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] (NOAA) Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says that no major tsunamis are expected, but small waves could impact areas locally close to the epicenter.Small, 50 centimeter [[w:tsunami|tsunamis]] "were reported on coastal areas close to epicenter," said a statement on the USGS website which also added that in Kashiwazaki, "buildings collapsed, roads and bridges were damaged." The USGS says that damage is "moderate to heavy."

"A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami is not expected along the [[California]], [[Oregon]], [[Washington]], [[British Columbia]], or [[Alaska]] coast. No tsunami warning or watch is in effect for these areas," added the NOAA statement.

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Nuclear leaks after Japan quake are worse than first reported|date=July 17, 2007}}

==Sources==
{{wikipedia|2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake}}
*{{source|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a3p9w.bGzSEM&refer=home
|title=Japan Hit By Second Quake in a Day, Reactor Damaged (Update1) 
|author=Mariko Yasu & Jonathan Tirone
|pub=Bloomberg
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007ewa8.php#details
|title=Magnitude 6.8 - SEA OF JAPAN
|author=
|pub=USGS
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/messages/pacific/2007/pacific.2007.07.16.142716.txt
|title=TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 001, 14:29
|author=
|pub=NOAA
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070716/NEWS07/70716004/0/NEWS08
|title=Japanese quake kills at least 8, injures hundreds
|author=Associated Press
|pub=Detroit Free Press
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/Two_dead_after_strong_quake_jolts_Japan.html?siteSect=143&sid=8025730&cKey=1184562471000
|title=Japan earthquake kills three
|author=Issei Kato
|pub=Swissinfo
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.prh.noaa.gov/ptwc/messages/pacific/2007/pacific.2007.07.16.012934.txt
|title=TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 001
|author=
|pub=NOAA
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007ewac.php
|title=Magnitude 6.7 - NEAR THE WEST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
|author=
|pub=USGS
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007ewac.php#summary
|title=Earthquake Summary, 01:13:28 UTC
|author=
|pub=USGS
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://home.kyodo.co.jp/modules/fstStory/index.php?storyid=325878
|title=M6.8 quake jolts Niigata, vicinity, 7 dead, over 700 hurt
|author=
|pub=Kyodo News
|date=July 16, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/3/16101900391.html
|title=Earthquake Information
|author=
|pub=Japan Meteorological Agency
|date=July 15, 2007}}

{{publish}}
{{Archived}}

[[Category:Japan]]
[[Category:Asia]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Earthquakes]]
[[Category:Fires]]
[[Category:Nuclear accidents]]
[[Category:Nuclear power]]

[[bs:Potres u Japanu]]
[[de:Schweres Erdbeben erschüttert Japan]]
[[es:Dos fuertes sismos sacuden Japón]]
[[fr:Deux tremblements de terre importants ont secoué le Japon]]
[[ja:新潟・長野で震度6強 津波注意報も]]
[[pl:Trzęsienie ziemi w Japonii]]
[[pt:Terremoto mata sete no Japão]]
Shake map showing intensity of the first quake. Star marks the epicenter.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), at least two strong earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.7 and 6.8 rocked the west coast of Honshu, Japan killing 8 people and injuring hundreds. 

A two hour fire was reported at the Kashiwazaki Nuclear Power Plant number 6 reactor transformer, which is the biggest nuclear power facility in the world, causing radioactive water to leak into the sea. Officials at the plant state that the water will cause no damage to the surrounding environment.

The epicenter of the first quake was located 65 km (40 miles) southwest of Niigata city, a major city on the west coast of Honshu, of 55.4 km (34.4 miles). The second quake, a 6.8, was recorded almost 12 hours later approximately 140 km (90 miles) northwest of Fukui Island, Honshu, Japan and had a depth of 350.7 km (217.9 miles).

"Many people told me they want to return to their normal lives as quickly as possible. The government will make every effort to help with recovery," said Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says that no major tsunamis are expected, but small waves could impact areas locally close to the epicenter.Small, 50 centimeter tsunamis "were reported on coastal areas close to epicenter," said a statement on the USGS website which also added that in Kashiwazaki, "buildings collapsed, roads and bridges were damaged." The USGS says that damage is "moderate to heavy."

"A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami is not expected along the California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, or Alaska coast. No tsunami warning or watch is in effect for these areas," added the NOAA statement.


bs:Potres u Japanu
de:Schweres Erdbeben erschüttert Japan
es:Dos fuertes sismos sacuden Japón
fr:Deux tremblements de terre importants ont secoué le Japon
ja:新潟・長野で震度6強 津波注意報も
pl:Trzęsienie ziemi w Japonii
Terremoto mata sete no Japão
Japan Asia Disasters and accidents Earthquakes Fires Nuclear accidents Nuclear power