Updated Dec 9, 2025 - Science

Powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocks Japan's northeast

Rebecca Falconer

A general view shows the scene of a fire that broke out after an earthquake in Aomori City on December 9. — This fire broke out after an earthquake in Aomori City on Dec. 9. Photo: JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck near northeastern Japan on Monday night, injuring multiple people and triggering tsunami alerts and evacuation orders for thousands of residents.

The big picture: The quake that the Japan Meteorological Agency noted happened around 23:15pm local time at a depth of 31 miles some 50 miles off the coast of Aomori Prefecture on Japan's main island, Honshu, caused "blackouts and fires" in some areas, a government official said at a briefing.

A vehicle is seen on a collapsed road in Tohoku town in Aomori Prefecture on Dec. 9, 2025, following a 7.5 magnitude earthquake off northern Japan. — The scene in Tohoku town in Aomori Prefecture on Dec. 9 following the quake that struck during freezing temperatures. Photo: JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images/Japan OUT

A worker clears debris at a shopping center damaged by the earthquake in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture on December 9, 2025 — A worker clears debris at a shopping center damaged by the earthquake in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture, on Dec. 9. Photo: JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images/Japan OUT

A tsunami warning flashes over live footage of a waterfront area, on a television screen in Sapporo, in Japan's northern Hokkaido prefecture on Dec. 9. — A tsunami warning flashes over live footage of a waterfront area on a television screen in Sapporo, in Japan's northern Hokkaido prefecture on Dec. 9. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images

Japan Meteorological Agency official Satoshi Harada, wearing short, black hair brushed forward and a navy jacket, white shirt and red tie with a silver pattern on it, speaking solemnly at a briefing on the quake in Tokyo on Dec. 9. — Japan Meteorological Agency official Satoshi Harada speaking at a briefing on the quake in Tokyo on Dec. 9. Photo: JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images/Japan OUT

An advisory reading "Tsunami! Run!" (top) and "Tsunami warning issued for central Hokkaido's Pacific Coast" flashes over the live footage of a boat leaving a port, on a television screen in Sapporo, in Japan's northern Hokkaido prefecture on December 8, 2025. — An advisory reading "Tsunami! Run!" (top) and "Tsunami warning issued for central Hokkaido's Pacific Coast" flashes over the live footage of a boat leaving a port, on a television screen in Sapporo, in Japan's northern Hokkaido prefecture on Dec. 8 following the quake. Tsunami alerts were later canceled. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images/Japan OUT

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, wearing short, black hair with gray streaks and a dark jacket and top, speaks solemnly into a mic on a podium as a Japanese official with short, black hair and dressed in a black suit, tie and white shirt looks on. — Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi addresses the media in Tokyo on Dec. 8 after the quake. Japan's meteorological agency recored two 15.7-inch tsunami waves. Photo: JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images/Japan OUT

Editor's note: This article has been updated with more photos.

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Powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocks Japan's northeast

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