Shallow M6.9 earthquake hits near Kuji, Japan on June 24, 2026

A shallow M6.9 earthquake was recorded at 22:30 UTC on June 24, 2026, about 35 km (22 miles) east-northeast of Kuji, Japan. The earthquake struck at a depth of 51.7 km (32.1 miles), with coordinates 40.3°N, 142.1°E, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The location places the epicenter near the Pacific coast of Honshu, Japan, in the Tohoku region. Kuji is a coastal city in Iwate Prefecture, part of an area frequently affected by seismic activity due to its proximity to major tectonic boundaries.

Given the region’s developed infrastructure, critical lifelines such as the Tohoku Expressway, several ports along the Sanriku coast, and regional rail lines could be within the affected zone.

There is no tsunami threat associated with this earthquake, based on its location and available data.

USGS issued a green alert for this event, indicating a low likelihood of casualties or damage. The maximum estimated intensity was VI, with 14 felt reports submitted. The significance index is 737 (on a scale that runs through 1 000), based on magnitude, felt reports, and estimated impact.

Northern Honshu sits near the subduction zone where the Pacific Plate descends beneath the North American Plate, causing frequent and sometimes powerful earthquakes along Japan’s eastern coast.

This information was last updated at 22:59 UTC on June 24, 2026.