Live Feeds
● LIVE Updated 58m ago · 35 sources tracked

Massive Tohoku Earthquake Sent a Seismic Wave That Shifted All of Japan

Japan continues to experience significant seismic activity. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate on June 25, 2026. Other recent alerts include a magnitude 6.0 quake in northeastern Japan.

RSS Source map (33)

What changed

New reports detail specific recent earthquakes in June and July 2026, adding to the history of the 2011 shift.

Live updates

  1. Recent Seismic Activity Impacts Japan Following Historical Shifts

    Japan continues to experience significant seismic activity. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Iwate on June 25, 2026. Other recent alerts include a magnitude 6.0 quake in northeastern Japan.

    What's confirmed:

    • A magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Iwate on June 25, 2026, at 7:30 AM local time.
    • The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an alert for a magnitude 6.0 earthquake in northeastern Japan.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • A series of powerful earthquakes struck California, Venezuela, and Japan in rapid succession between June 24 and June 25, 2026.
    confidence 90%

  2. Study Finds 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Shifted Japan 5mm Eastward

    Seismic waves from the 2011 magnitude 9.0 earthquake traveled to the Earth's core and bounced back. This process caused the Japanese archipelago to shift eastward. A University of Chicago study published in Science detailed these findings.

    What's confirmed:

    • Seismic waves from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake reflected off the Earth's core and shifted the Japanese archipelago 5mm eastward.
    • A University of Chicago study published in Science provided these findings.
    • The seismic waves traveled 2,900 km deep to the boundary between the mantle and outer core before bouncing back.
    • The event caused almost all of Japan to shift eastward.
    confidence 100%

  3. 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Shifted Japan Eastward

    A magnitude 9.0 earthquake in 2011 caused an eastward shift across Japan. This movement occurred about 16 minutes after the main quake but before aftershocks began. Researchers attribute the event to seismic waves bouncing off the core of the Earth.

    What's confirmed:

    • The 2011 Tohoku earthquake had a magnitude of 9.0.
    • Seismic waves from the earthquake bounced off Earth's core.
    • GPS stations recorded an eastward lurch across the entire country.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The eastward lurch was unconnected to any specific quake or aftershock.
    confidence 100%

  4. 2011 Tohoku Earthquake Wave Shifted Japan Eastward

    A seismic wave from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake traveled to Earth's core and bounced back. This movement triggered a second tectonic slip that shifted most of Japan to the east. Researchers identified the shift using GPS records.

    What's confirmed:

    • The 2011 Tohoku earthquake had a magnitude of 9.0.
    • Seismic waves from the 2011 earthquake struck Earth's core and bounced back.
    • The event caused Japan to move eastward.
    • The shift occurred in some areas by as much as five or six millimeters.
    • The movement took place 15 minutes after the earthquake.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The event involved four major tectonic plates according to scientist Sunyoung Park.
    • The reflecting wave was as intense as a 7-magnitude earthquake.
    • The movement revealed a previously unrecognized source of seismic hazard.
    confidence 90%