Magnitude 7.4 MW Areas affected Japan Aftershocks 79 | Depth 14.9 km (9 mi) Tsunami Yes | |
Date 21 December 2010 (2010-12-21) | ||
The 2010 Bonin Islands earthquake occurred on 21 December 2010 when a MW 7.4 earthquake struck off of the Bonin Islands, Japan.
The quake occurred at about 0220 local time (1720 UTC), about 155 kilometres (96 mi) east of the Bonin Islands, at a depth of around 15 km (9.3 mi). After the quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a warning of a possible tsunami, capable of producing a wave of up to 2 metres (6.6 ft) high near the Bonin Islands, though milder for mainland Japan. Residents of the Bonin Islands were advised to move towards higher ground, and advisories were also issued for some provinces along Japan's Pacific coast. Around 40 minutes after the initial quake, wave swells of up to 30 centimetres (12 in) were seen on the coast of the main Japanese island, though no tsunami waves were seen from the island of Chichi-jima.
There were twenty-two M5.0+ aftershocks within six hours from the quake, including two with a magnitude of 5.6 that occurred at 1740 and 1741 UTC. By 27 December, 79 M5.0+ aftershocks had occurred.
No damage was initially reported from the quake, though an estimated 2,000 people were able to feel the tremble. Around 170 residents of the Bonin Islands were evacuated to public buildings on Chichi-jima and Haha-jima.