Japan was thrown into turmoil late Monday after a powerful offshore earthquake sent shockwaves across the country and triggered widespread emergency measures.
More than 100 000 residents were told to flee their homes as authorities raced to assess the damage and monitor the rapidly changing situation.
The quake hit just after 11pm local time, striking roughly 44 miles off the nation's northeastern coastline. Data from the United States Geological Survey placed the depth at about 33 miles beneath the ocean surface. Its impact was felt far beyond the epicentre, even Tokyo, situated more than 400 miles away, experienced extended and forceful shaking as buildings rattled for over half a minute, as per CNN .
