Japan Aftershock Not as Bad as Originally Feared

A tsunami warning issued shortly after the 7.1 magnitude quake occurred was quickly lifted and relatively minimal damage has been reported.

Concerns were raised worldwide yesterday when reports began to filter in of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake had hit the same area of Japan ravaged by last month's 9.0-magnitude quake. A tsunami warning that soon followed exacerbated the situation, as the damage from a tsunami that followed the March 11 event still itself has yet to be fully established.

However, the tsunami warning was lifted a little more than an hour after the quake, and the magnitude was revised down to 7.1. RMS released this statement this morning regarding potential aftereffects:

There are initial reports of several buildings being destroyed and power outages to over 3.5 million homes. Three fatalities have been attributed to this aftershock. … No new leaks or damage has been reported from any of the nuclear facilities impacted by this latest aftershock.

Nathan Golia is senior editor of Insurance & Technology. He joined the publication in 2010 as associate editor and covers all aspects of the nexus between insurance and information technology, including mobility, distribution, core systems, customer interaction, and risk ... View Full Bio