M6.5 quake hits eastern Japan; no tsunami risk

only an M3 in Tokyo? Are you sure? It felt much bigger than an M3...maybe shindo 3?

It's sometimes difficult to comprehend the forces involved when an earthquake 400 km underground can shake so much of the earth's crust. Anyway, apart from scaring my dog, no harm done.

It was a bit long too :(

I thought it was more like 3.14159265359.

Fukushima nuclear plant operator TEPCO reported there were no new problems at the stricken nuclear plant.

"We have confirmed that there was no immediate abnormality,"

You mean in addition to the myriad of abnormalities you have going on right now?

Was riding a bike in west Tokyo.

Didn't feel a thing.

AFP/JT is mixing apples and oranges.

"6.5 magnitude" is how powerful it was in terms of energy released.

"Tokyo where it registered a 3" indicates seismic intensity (how much shaking at a specific point) on the Japanese "shindo" scale.

Magnitude does not change depending on location. A 6.5 magnitude quake is a 6.5 magnitude quake. Period.

Unfortunately, whoever compiled/edited this for AFP doesn't know his earthquakes. I am no expert, but I certainly know the difference between magnitude and shindo.

The weirdest thing was how quiet it was - no rumble.

Nevertheless, the measurements of the USGS and the JMA are often different when quakes are reported. Sometimes, one group or the other adjusts it later. Deal with it.

I think you misunderstood me. I was speaking of the 6.5 (or 6.9) and 3 difference. I have no problems "dealing with" USGS and JMA difference. I was merely pointing out that the article gave no definition for the "3". The "3" is NOT magnitude.

Please re-read my comment, and you will see that made no reference at all to the USGS and JMA difference.

It was a Shindo 3 in the 23 wards.

Most Japanese don't think in terms of magnitude, they think in terms of the shindo. number (not the energy released but the degree of shaking).

Everyone felt it here in Iwate, but the Japan Meteorological Agency site has been knocked out since it happened so I still have no idea as to the extent of the event 2 hours later.

It woke me up. Thanks earthquake, didn't wanted to sleep long anyway.

So, where are these experts that claim they can predict these quakes and the active fault lines? Didn't hear any phone alarms going off. Go ahead! Turn all reactors back on. It's ok!

This one was really gentle...

I was at work and did not feel a thing. @Kawasaki

I hate to be the voice of impending doom here, but there has been a flurry of activity down the south of Japan recently. Alot of smaller ones around Southern Wakayama too, which are not making news. And a bigger one in Kansai a couple of months ago too.

I would not be surprised if the very long awaited Tokai Earthquake is on its way soon.

Didn't feel a thing here in Shibuya.....

Inside an elevator. Shook a little - not too bad but still, I'd rather not experience that again.

Jeez, a magnitude 6.9 is now considered 'moderate'?! http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130903-712122.html What is considered a 'strong' earthquake nowadays?

there were no reports of damage in this article so I do pray that no one was seriously injured

What is considered a 'strong' earthquake nowadays?

What is your basis of comparison? 30 years ago, and M5 earthquake was considered strong, but buildings weren't as earthquake proof back then. The Hanshin earthquake changed building standards so they can tolerate M7 earthquakes. Now something like a 6.9 is considered moderate and anything bigger than 7 - 7.5 is considered major.

Sorry, in my part of Tokyo, the western part, I felt NOTHING! My Yurekuru, Iphone application that is supposed to warn me about a quake?? Nothing! I have looked up the history on the quakes and it is not even there, but the only way I found out was that I talked to a friend, I guess he was sitting and started to say TEMBLOR, TEMBLOR, Spanish for earthquake but he was another part of Tokyo, anyway I do hope no big quakes come to Fukushima etc..

The phone app only goes off for anything Shindo 4 or over, it's only 4 or over where you get damage. As it was a 3 in Tokyo your phone was not supposed to go off. I think you can elect to be warned of quakes under 4, but it's a choice..the default is 4 or over.

It felt more like a 3.9 in the Tokyo area and it lasted a long time.

We (here in Tokyo especially) were very lucky that it was so deep. If it had been shallow, it would have been bad.

Currently working in Kanagawa Prefecture, no one notice or felt a thing till it was annouced on the intercom system. So much for alerting the public beforehand, huh!?

I would not be surprised if the very long awaited Tokai Earthquake is on its way soon.

Having these small to moderate earthquakes periodically is a good thing. It releases built up pressure making it less likely of having a bigger quake. Its when you don't have an earthquake for a very long time in an quake-prone area like Japan, is when you should really be worried.

A lot of smaller ones around Southern Wakayama too

http://bousai.tenki.jp/bousai/earthquake/seismicity_map/?area_type=japan_detail&recent_type=7days

I can see only 2 earthquakes near Wakayama in the last 7 days. The earthquake activities are concentrated in Tohoku area lately.

season start for earth quake Hope every one save