Massive Japan Earthquake: Is There a Tsunami Alert for California?

The U.S.G.S. is reporting a large earthquake that just hit in Japan. It was first reported as a 7.1, but was quickly downgraded to 7.0.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports the quake was centered in the southern portion of the country, approximately:

• 1.0 km (0.6 mi) WSW of Kumamoto-shi, Japan
• 12.0 km (7.5 mi) NNE of Uto, Japan
• 13.0 km (8.1 mi) SSE of Ueki, Japan
• 15.0 km (9.3 mi) NNE of Matsubase, Japan
• 631.0 km (392.1 mi) SSE of Seoul, South Korea

An estimated 730,000 people live in Kumamoto-shi.

So far, at least three strong aftershocks have been recorded measuring 5.8, 5.7 and 4.7 in magnitude, according to the U.S.G.S.

At this time, it's not known how much damage or injuries may have occured.

"No question, this is a large and very important earthquake," Doug Given, a USGS geophysicist told CNN. "And it will do a lot of damage."

Japan issued a tsunami advisory for their nearby coasts, according to NOAA. However, that has since been lifted.

The Northwest Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says there is currently no tsunami threat to Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon or California.

"Based on all available data, a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii," the agency reports.

Today's quake comes just a day after the region experienced a 6.2 magnitude temblor which killed nine people, according to published reports.

Video of the aftermath of the 6.2 quake can be seen below:

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(Image courtesy of the USGS)