Japan Rings In New Year With 7.0 Magnitude Earthquake

The country of Japan has one of the most active earthquake zones in the world and that was proven once again on New Years day 2012 as the country rang in the New Year with a 7.0-magnitude quake under the sea south of Japan.

While the earthquake shook buildings in the capital there appeared to be no serious damage and officials have not warned of a tsunami.

According to the Meterological Agency the epicenter occurred just off the uninhabited island of Torishima, nearly 370 miles south of Tokyo and 230 miles below the sea.

According to local officials why buildings shook there were no injuries reported and express trains in the northern part of Japan were suspended while safety checks were completed.

Unlike the earthquake that hit in March there appears to have been no damage to nuclear power plants in the northeast part of the county.

Japan’s last massive earthquake not only damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant, it left almost 20,000 people dead or missing. That March 11 earthquake which brought with it a tsunami registered as a 9.0-magnitude quake.