7.1 Magnitude Earthquake in Japan

Another powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit northeastern Japan late Thursday, seismologists said, Japan was rattled again by a strong aftershock and tsunami warning nearly a month after a devastating earthquake and tsunami flattened the northeastern coast.

The quake, which hit at 11:32 pm local time (1432 GMT), struck 66 kilometers east of Sendai.

Officials say Thursday's aftershock was a 7.4-magnitude and hit 25 miles (40 kilometers) under the water and off the coast of Miyagi prefecture. The quake that preceded last month's tsunami was a 9.0-magnitude.

U.S. Geological Survey gave the preliminary magnitude as 7.4 and it struck off the eastern coast 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Sendai and 90 miles (140 kilometers) from Fukushima. But they downgrading it to 7.1 Magnitude.

The depth was 25 miles (40 kilometers). Shallower quakes tend to be more destructive.

The tsunami warnings were lifted, according to NHK television.