7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Japan

An earthquake of 7.2 magnitude has struck off the coast of Japan, shaking buildings in the capital, Tokyo.

The tremor was centred 160 km (100 miles) east of the country's main Honshu island.

A tsunami alert for waves of up to 50 cm was issued for northeast Japan, after the quake hit at 0245 GMT.

Also of note, Tohoku Electric Power said its Onagawa nuclear plant was operating normally after the quake. Tokyo Electric Power also said there was no impact on its power plants in the region.  20% of the world's earthquakes of greater than 6.2 magnitude occur in this region.

Major Earthquake Hits Chile

A major earthquake of 7.2 magnitude hit central Chile on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The epicenter was 60 miles northwest of Temuco, which is a city of 245,000 people.

There is no current widespread tsunami threat, although there are reports of people fleeing the area.

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake in the same area last February caused widespread destruction and left dozens dead.

Casualty and damage estimates are unknown.  

Chile, the world's top copper producer, has seen its economy surge on heavy spending to rebuild cities ravaged by the February quake and record prices for its main export.

Emergency officials in Chile ruled out a tsunami after Sunday's quake and operations were normal at the Andean division of Chilean copper miner Codelco after the tremor, a spokesman said.

A spokesman for state energy company ENAP said operations were also running as usual at the Bio Bio oil refinery in the area.