Earthquake with magnitude of 6.8 jolts northern Japan

strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 jolted northern Japan early Thursday morning, injuring nearly one hundred people and trapping hundreds in halted trains. It also cut off electric power to thousands of homes.

A seismograph reading. A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale shook northern Japan early Thursday, injuring more than a dozen people as the force shattered windows and set off fires, officials said.(AFP)

The quake's epicenter was about 120 kilometers underground in the Pacific coast area of Iwate Prefecture. There is no further information about the possible casualties or damage.

A powerful earthquake shook northern Japan early Thursday, injuring at least 90 people as its force shattered windows and set off fires in an area hit by a deadly tremor just a month ago.(AFP)

Japan's Meteorological Agency says that there is no threat of a tsunami from the quake, but warns of landslides in some areas where strong rain is expected.