Strong M6.3 earthquake hits near the coast of Hokkaido, slight sea level changes forecast
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the JMA as M6.3 hit near the coast of Hokkaido, Japan, at 18:51 UTC on June 1, 2025 — 03:51 local time, June 2. USGS and EMSC are reporting M6.0 at a depth of 31 km (19.2 miles).
Epicenter of M6.3 earthquake near the coast of Hokkaido, Japan on June 1, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 72 km (45 miles) SSE of Hiroo (population 7 172), 93 km (58 miles) ESE of Urakawa (population 12 800), and 133 km (83 miles) ESE of Shizunai-furukawachō, Hokkaido, Japan.
489 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking, and 1 592 000 weak.
Slight sea level changes, less than 20 cm (8 inches), are forecast for the eastern part of the Pacific coast of Hokkaido, with no threat of flooding or damage expected.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and unreinforced brick with mud construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides and fires that might have contributed to losses.
This is the second M6+ to hit near the coast of Hokkaido since M6.1 at 08:37 UTC on May 31.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.0 earthquake near the coast of Hokkaido, Japan – USGS – June 1, 2025
2 M6.0 earthquake near the coast of Hokkaido, Japan – EMSC – June 1, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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