A powerful overnight earthquake struck near Japan’s northeastern coast, causing extensive shaking, brief tsunami warnings, and resulting in infrastructure damage, particularly at New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. The seismic event, which registered a magnitude of 7.5, occurred off the eastern shore of Aomori Prefecture late on December 8, followed by significant aftershocks and compounding pre-existing travel disruptions caused by severe weather.
The main tremor hit at approximately 11:15 p.m. local time on December 8, originating from a depth of roughly 54 kilometers. The seismic waves were felt across a broad region, extending south as far as Tokyo. Initially reported at magnitude 7.6, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) later calibrated the final reading to 7.5. Early reports indicated at least 50 injuries sustained across the affected area, according to international media sources.
Infrastructure Impact and Travel Chaos
The shaking was particularly intense in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island. Local media, including Hokkaido Television (HTB), reported strong tremors hitting New Chitose Airport around 6:52 a.m. the following morning, December 9. The impact resulted in structural complications within the busy transportation hub. Sections of the airport ceiling collapsed, sending debris tumbling to the floor, forcing immediate assessments of the damage and operational safety concerns.
This seismic event exacerbated an already difficult situation at the airport. A severe blizzard had swept through the region on December 8, forcing the cancellation of 75 flights. This weather disruption left approximately 200 travelers stranded overnight, significantly exceeding the facility’s capacity, which is typically equipped to handle about 150 unexpected overnight guests. The infrastructure damage from the quake added another layer of complexity to the recovery and re-opening efforts, delaying flights further.
Tsunami Alert and Safety Response
Immediately following the earthquake, the JMA issued tsunami warnings for coastal regions. These warnings targeted the central Pacific coast of Hokkaido, as well as the Pacific shores of Aomori and Iwate prefectures. Tsunami activity was officially observed in several locations along these coasts.
In the early morning hours of December 9, demonstrating a swift, measured response, the JMA downgraded the full tsunami warnings to tsunami advisories. By later that morning, all advisories were lifted, indicating that the immediate threat of a major destructive wave had passed. This prompt, coordinated action allowed coastal communities to move toward recovery while minimizing panic and maximizing safety.
The high frequency of significant aftershocks presented continued concern for residents and infrastructure managers. Several subsequent quakes registered above magnitude 4, including a powerful one measuring 6.4.
This event underlines the continued importance of Japan’s rigorous seismic preparedness, requiring constant vigilance and robust emergency procedures for both its residents and vital transportation hubs like New Chitose Airport. As recovery operations get underway, officials will focus on restoring full flight capacity and assessing the structural integrity of the affected airport facilities to ensure passenger safety moving forward.