Powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake strikes near Tokyo's 'ring of fire' coast
A POWERFUL earthquake has struck off the coast of Japan after several smaller quakes threatened to wreak havoc in the Far East nation.
Japan has been rocked by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake
The 6.4 tremor took place in the sea off the south-east of Tokyo, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred only 7 miles below the earth’s surface.
Japan earthquake: Aftershocks plague community
Tremors were felt as far away as Fukushima, around 300 miles away from the epicentre.
It is not yet clear if is any loss of life or damage as a result of the quake.
Japan's north eastern region was obliterated by an earthquake and tsunami
Japan is a highly tectonic part of the world, with six earthquakes taking place near the country in the last three days alone.
Since 1900, nine earthquakes have each cost more than 1,000 lives.
The North America plate, Pacific plate, Philippine Sea plate, and Eurasia plate all influence the tectonic setting of Japan, with the most common cause for tremors being the subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the North American plate.