Earthquakes in Japan (Part Infinity)
Earthquakes centered in Tochigi Prefecture a few hours ago: estimated 6.7 M on the modified Richter scale, and a weak 5 on the JMA scale (which measures surface vibrations) in parts of Tochigi and Ibaraki. According to my buddy, they were perceptible in Tokyo. I haven't seen any reports of damage, but a weak 5, while not as bad as things could be, can cause real problems in craggy, cliffy rural areas with a lot of elderly people. There's an English translation of the JMA scale here. A weak 5 isn't strong enough to knock down buildings that are up to code in areas that are prepared for earthquakes, but it's strong enough to be scary and make it difficult to move.