In Pictures: Japan earthquake shatters New Year's Day calm
Magnitude-7.6 jolt near Sea of Japan coast causes significant damage
One of the most powerful earthquakes to hit Japan in years interrupted the country’s New Year’s Day, claiming dozens of lives and causing serious damage.
The magnitude-7.6 temblor struck near the Sea of Japan coast on Monday afternoon. On the Noto Peninsula in the prefecture of Ishikawa -- a central region that has seen an alarming surge in seismic activity in recent years -- it registered the maximum of 7 on Japan’s own intensity scale.
The earthquake prompted warnings of a major tsunami, although these were later downgraded. The full scope of the disaster remains unclear, while the government has scrambled rescue workers.
Here is a look at the quake's impact.
DAY 7
DAY 3
An area hit by a fire in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 3 ©︎Kyodo
An area hit by a fire in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 3 ©︎Kyodo
Rescuers work at a collapsed building in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa, on Jan. 3. ©︎Kyodo
Rescuers work at a collapsed building in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa, on Jan. 3. ©︎Kyodo
Damaged houses are seen in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 3. ©︎Kyodo
Damaged houses are seen in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 3. ©︎Kyodo
DAY 2
A coastal area in Suzu damaged by a tsunami after a strong earthquake that rocked a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast the previous day ©︎Kyodo
A coastal area in Suzu damaged by a tsunami after a strong earthquake that rocked a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast the previous day ©︎Kyodo
Smoke rises above the city of Wajima in Ishikawa shortly before 8 a.m. on Jan. 2, as morning illuminates the scale of the disaster. ©︎Kyodo
Smoke rises above the city of Wajima in Ishikawa shortly before 8 a.m. on Jan. 2, as morning illuminates the scale of the disaster. ©︎Kyodo
A collapsed building in Wajima shows the earthquake's devastating power on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
A collapsed building in Wajima shows the earthquake's devastating power on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
A coastal area in Suzu in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 2, apparently damaged by a tsunami ©︎Kyodo
A coastal area in Suzu in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 2, apparently damaged by a tsunami ©︎Kyodo
Evacuees stay in a plastic greenhouse in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
Evacuees stay in a plastic greenhouse in Wajima in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
Cracks on a road are seen in Anamizu in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
Cracks on a road are seen in Anamizu in the central Japan prefecture of Ishikawa on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
Fishing boats lie capsized in the harbor of the town of Shika in Ishikawa on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
Fishing boats lie capsized in the harbor of the town of Shika in Ishikawa on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
People line up to buy supplies at a pharmacy in Hakui, Ishikawa, on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
People line up to buy supplies at a pharmacy in Hakui, Ishikawa, on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
Ruptures in the ground are seen at a parking lot in the town of Uchinada, Ishikawa, on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
Ruptures in the ground are seen at a parking lot in the town of Uchinada, Ishikawa, on Jan. 2. ©︎Kyodo
DAY 1
A blaze rages in Wajima after the quake. Fires have engulfed hundreds of structures. ©︎Kyodo
A blaze rages in Wajima after the quake. Fires have engulfed hundreds of structures. ©︎Kyodo
Evacuees spend the night of Jan. 1 at the Ishikawa prefectural government office. ©︎Kyodo
Evacuees spend the night of Jan. 1 at the Ishikawa prefectural government office. ©︎Kyodo
Damaged stone lanterns lean at a shrine in Ishikawa's city of Kahoku on Jan. 1.
Damaged stone lanterns lean at a shrine in Ishikawa's city of Kahoku on Jan. 1.
The quake toppled the gate at this shrine in Ishikawa's historic city of Kanazawa. ©︎Kyodo
The quake toppled the gate at this shrine in Ishikawa's historic city of Kanazawa. ©︎Kyodo
Shoppers brace themselves on the floor of a supermarket in the city of Toyama moments after the earthquake hit.
Shoppers brace themselves on the floor of a supermarket in the city of Toyama moments after the earthquake hit.
Editor: James Hand-Cukierman
Photo editor: Ken Kobayashi
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