Northern Japan hit by 6.8 magnitude earthquake

Northern Japan has experienced yet another earthquake. The U.S. Geological Society reports there were tremors of a 6.8 magnitude off the coast of Honshu, Japan, 85 miles southeast of Hachinohe at 21:50 GMT.

It was the same area of the Pacific where a massive magnitude 9 quake hit on March 11, triggering a deadly tsunami. At least 23,000 people were killed or left missing in those disasters, which destroyed hundreds of homes, offices and factories in northeastern Japan.

The more recent quake was followed by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake a few seconds later in the same region of the Pacific Ocean, Reuters reports. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no warning or watch currently in effect for the area.

The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for Iwate Prefecture, but only for a possible foot-and-a-half wave.

The quake was centered 329 miles north-northeast of Tokyo, off the northern tip of the main island's coast. It was offshore from Honshu island, and was some 19.9 miles deep.

CBS News correspondent Lucy Craft in Tokyo said the earthquake was not felt there.