Japan Issues and Retracts Erroneous Magnitude 9.9 Earthquake Warning Within Eight Minutes
Following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, Japan’s Meteorological Agency mistakenly issued an earthquake warning for magnitude 9.9. The agency retracted the warning within approximately eight minutes, acknowledging that their system had inaccurately assessed both the epicenter and the magnitude. No strong tremors were felt in Japan, and no tsunami warnings or alerts were issued. Kathmandu, October 17.
After the earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Friday, Japan’s Meteorological Agency erroneously issued a warning predicting a 9.9 magnitude earthquake. The warning was withdrawn about eight minutes later. According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), a 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Kamchatka region. The Japanese agency measured the earthquake at magnitude 6.9.
The agency reported that the earthquake originated approximately 160 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface. Following the tremor, at 12:40 PM local time, Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a warning indicating the possibility of strong shaking from Hokkaido to the Tokai region of central Japan. The alert triggered alarms in public notification systems and on mobile phones. Eight minutes later, at 12:48 PM, the warning was cancelled. According to an agency spokesperson, the system erroneously predicted the epicenter near the Kuril Islands and overestimated the magnitude. This led to the premature issuance of a major earthquake warning.
The agency said it is investigating the cause of the event. There were no significant tremors felt in Japan; Japan’s seismic intensity measurement system recorded only minor shaking of the first level in Hakodate, Hokkaido. No tsunami warnings or notifications were issued following the event. Last year, on July 29, 2025, a powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Kamchatka, which is considered an active seismic zone. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), this quake was the sixth strongest recorded by modern instruments worldwide. Subsequently, tsunami warnings were issued for various areas surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Kamchatka is part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a highly active earthquake and volcanic region where the Pacific Plate subducts beneath other tectonic plates, frequently triggering earthquakes. Powerful underwater tremors in this area significantly increase the risk of tsunamis.