6.0-magnitude quake strikes central Japan, no tsunami alert

More than a week after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake rocked neighboring Ishikawa prefecture on January 1, killing 202 people, another 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck central Japan's Niigata prefecture on Tuesday. The seismic event transpired at 5:59 p.m. (local time). There was no tsunami alert issued.

Tokyo (Japan): An earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck central Japan's Niigata prefecture on Tuesday, more than a week after the massive 7.6-magnitude temblor jolted the neighbouring Ishikawa prefecture on January 1 killing 202 people.

The quake occurred at 5.59 p.m. (local time) with the epicenter near Sado Island off Niigata at a depth of 10 km, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.It measured 5 Lower on the country's seismic scale of 7, Xinhua news agency quoted the JMA as sayingNo tsunami warnings were issued and no reports of injuries or damages were immediately available .

The Niigata quake came amid a series of aftershocks which followed the January 1 Noto Peninsula Earthquake.As of Tuesday, the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa has recorded 1,248 tremors rated at least 1 on the country's seven-point seismic intensity scale since the January 1 earthquake, according to public broadcaster NHK.

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