A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake near Hokkaido prompted Japan to issue a tsunami warning, highlighting both strong ground shaking and immediate coastal hazards for Sapporo and nearby communities. Details in the post are limited, but the alert suggests authorities anticipated potentially dangerous waves following the mainshock.

Rusting rivers and huge rainfall have complicated pollution control at Northwest Alaska’s massive zinc mine.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck at 11:41 a.m. AKST on Dec. 6 about 58 miles north of Yakutat, Alaska, followed by a vigorous aftershock sequence with several above magnitude 5. No tsunami warning was issued and no injuries or damage had been reported as of early afternoon.