EARTHQUAKE OFF COAST OF SOUTHERN JAPAN

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan on 30 October 2009. Seismologists stated that the undersea tremour struck at approximately 1603 local time at a depth of 37 mi/60 km. No tsunami warning was issued, as experts stated that there was no threat of a large wave being generated. There have been no immediate reports of any damage or disruptions near the epicentre, and eyewitnesses reported feeling only minor shaking on the far southern coast of the Japanese mainland.