Japan was hit by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake which struck the northeastern coast of Japan near Kamiashi on Friday, December 7, 2012. Japan was one of the worst-hit country during the March 2011 earthquake that killed more than 20,000 people.
The December 7 Japan earthquake struck at around 5:18 PM at a depth of about 36 km, according to the US Geological Survey. The powerful earthquake prompted an immediate warnings of a possible tsunami.
The earthquake swept ashore in Ishinomaki, a city badly hit by the 2011 tsunami that ravaged thousands properties including the villagers.
The 7.3 earthquake was followed by a 6.2 aftershocks according to the USGS.