Two quakes shake Japan, but no damage reported

TOKYO (AFP) Dec 22, 2003
Two moderate earthquakes rocked Japan on Monday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, officials said.

An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido at 5:47 pm (0847 GMT), the meteorological agency said.

Its focus was located 30 kilometers (19 miles) below sea-level in the Pacific Ocean off Kushiro, eastern Hokkaido, some 850 kilometers (527 miles) north of Tokyo, the agency said.

About three hours later, another earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck Niigata, north of Tokyo, with its focus 20 kilometers (12 miles) below sea-level in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) off the city.

There was no danger of tsunami tidal waves following the two quakes, the agency said.

TERRA.WIRE