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Earthquake rattles Japan's coast, no tsunami warnings issued

By Marilyn Malara
A 7.8-magnitude deep-focus earthquake hit almost 550 miles off the coast of Japan Saturday morning. No tsunami warning has been issued. Image by U.S. Geological Survey
A 7.8-magnitude deep-focus earthquake hit almost 550 miles off the coast of Japan Saturday morning. No tsunami warning has been issued. Image by U.S. Geological Survey

TOKYO, May 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Geological Survey reported a 7.8-magnitude earthquake occurred just under 550 miles off Japan's coast early this morning.

The quake was felt all over the country, with tremors reportedly shaking Tokyo. No serious damage has been reported and no tsunami warning has been issued. Some injuries have been reported.

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Tremors in Tokyo have caused blackouts in some areas. According to NHK, Tokyo Electric Power Company is now dealing with a blackout affecting about 600 homes.

The earthquake's epicenter was located about 410 miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, marking it a deep-focus quake. This type usually causes less damage than shallow-focus quakes, which occur 186 or fewer miles below the surface, the USGS says.

A large shallow-focus quake, registered at 6.8-magnitude, hit off the island country's coast earlier this month, but no tsunami warnings were issued then. It was also felt throughout the country, disrupting some bullet train lines.

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