Off of Japan's northeastern coast, a powerful earthquake struck today, causing buildings to shake and sway as far away as Japan's capitol metropolis, Tokyo.

The earthquake generated a three-foot tsunami that washed ashore in the same location that the tsunami on March 11th,2011 did. Thousands of people fled to the safety of higher ground at the repeated urgings of radio broadcasters.

Although several people were injured in the quake, there have been no reports of heavy damage. The Tokyo Electric Power Compnay report there are no problems at any of their power plants. Most of the injuries occured in Tokyo where the building swayed with the force of the earthquake for several minutes.

The 7.3 magnitude quake struck off the coast of the Miyagi Prefecture at 5:18 pm, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The earthquake was generated 22.4 miles beneath the seabed 152 miles southeast of Kamaishi, Japan. The quake spawned at least 15 aftershocks, several of which were over 5.0 and one being 6.2.

Two hours after the initial quake, the Tsunami alert was cancelled. The Pacific Tsunami Center has stated that there is no risk of a widespread tsunami at this time.