M4.5 Earthquake Strikes Near Kuji, Japan

Kuji, Japan — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake shook the Pacific coast off northern Japan on Friday morning, October 30, striking about 68 kilometers east-northeast of Kuji at 8:18 AM Central time.

What happened:

The quake hit at a depth of about 43 kilometers (roughly 27 miles) below the surface, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Its epicenter sat offshore in the Pacific, east-northeast of the coastal city of Kuji in Iwate Prefecture. The USGS has reviewed the event and lists no tsunami threat from this earthquake.

Impacts:

No felt reports or damage reports had been published by the USGS at the time of this report. A magnitude 4.5 quake at this depth is typically felt lightly near the epicenter, if at all, and rarely causes damage.

What to do:

- Drop, cover, and hold on during shaking, and stay clear of windows and heavy objects.

- After shaking stops, check for hazards such as broken glass, gas leaks, or damaged wiring before re-entering a building.

- Stay alert for aftershocks, which can follow in the hours after a quake.

- If you are near the coast and feel strong shaking, move to higher ground as a precaution.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), October 30, 2026.