Hi All. A strong earthquake of M 6.1 occurred this morning in the greater Tokyo, Japan region. Initial reports indicate the quake was moderately felt rattling buildings and injuring at least 27 residents. Airline flights and train service was temporarily disrupted but there were no reported power failures.

I got a ringside seat for this quake. I was watching the sumo-wrestling tournament when the quake struck. I saw it from start to finish. Some of the fans looked around when the quake started, but no one that I could see got up to leave. If the wrestlers felt the quake they gave no indication as they kept right on doing their thing. I have a feeling it will take more then a mere M=6.1 quake to shut down a sumo match.

The quake appears to be the most strongly felt in Tokyo since 1992. The Japan Meteorological Agency did not issue a tsunami warning. JMA reported the quake was felt with intensity VII in Tokyo's Adachi Ward and intensity V in southern Saitama, southern and northwestern Chiba and eastern Kanagawa prefectures. The “moment tensor solution” for the quake shows it to be a thrust quake.

NEIC data indicates maximum felt intensity was VIII at Soka. It was also reported with intensity VI at Sagamihara, Sakura, and Zushi. The quake was felt in Kobe (intensity II). This is about 450km from the quake. Five people were injured when hit by a falling signboard at a supermarket in Konosu, Saitama prefecture according to Kyodo News. At least 50 were trapped in elevators. An elderly woman also fell from her porch. Associated Press indicated that a steel tower collapsed in Tokyo damaging a nearby building. There were several related fires reported in Tokyo. Take Care…Don in creepy town