A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Japan on Friday evening, approximately 90 miles (150 kilometers) southeast of Hasaki and 155 miles (250 kilometers) from Tokyo. The quake occurred at 5:39:27 a.m. EST (7:39 p.m. local time) at a depth of 18 miles (29 kilometers) in the Pacific Ocean.

Despite the earthquake’s occurrence in the Pacific Ocean, no significant tsunami threat was reported. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued no tsunami warning or advisory, and no damaging tsunami was expected.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported light shaking from the earthquake and issued a green PAGER alert, indicating a low likelihood of casualties and damage. PAGER (Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response) is a system that provides fatality and economic loss impact estimates following significant earthquakes worldwide.

Japan, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is one of the world’s most seismically active countries. The Pacific Ring of Fire is an area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur due to the movement and collision of lithospheric plates.

Friday’s earthquake occurred approximately 233 miles (375 kilometers) south of the epicenter of the devastating magnitude 9.1 earthquake that struck Japan in 2011, triggering a massive tsunami that caused widespread destruction and loss of life.

While the current earthquake is significantly less powerful than the 2011 event, it serves as a reminder of the constant seismic activity in the region and the importance of earthquake and tsunami preparedness for the Japanese population.