AN EARTHQUAKE has struck off the coast of Japan, sending out tremors felt by Olympians.
The magnitude-6 quake took place in the sea to the east of Tokyo at about 5.30am local time.
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An earthquake has struck off the coast of Japan Credit: Alamy
Athletes and journalists who are in the city for the games reported feeling the aftershocks for up to three minutes.
The quake took place at a depth of 30kilometres and had an epicenter around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from land.
CNN reporter Will Ripley tweeted: "Earthquake in Tokyo right now. I’ve felt the shaking for about 30 seconds. Still going."
Another journalist said there was "minor shaking for about three minutes".
Meanwhile, Australian reporter Mark Beretta was live on air for Sunrise when the earthquake hit.
Standing on top of a broadcast tower outside the Olympic stadium, he said: "Welcome back to the Olympic city where we are currently in an earthquake, an earth tremor.
"The roof above us is moving and you might notice our lights and camera are moving as well."
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The earthquake took place at a depth of 30km some 40km off the coast of Japan 3
Australian reporter Mark Beretta was live on air during the quake Credit: Twitter
He added: “That was quite an unusual moment, I have not been through an earthquake before."
Authorities have said there is no risk of a Tsunami or damage.
UN NERV, which shares disaster warnings for Japan, tweeted: "Earthquake Detailed Report – 8/4.
"At around 5:42am, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 occurred offshore Ibaraki Prefecture at a depth of 30km."
It added: "The maximum intensity was 2. There is no threat of a tsunami."
Japan is situated on top of converging tectonic plates and Olympic host Tokyo is prepared for quakes to hit.
The Ariake volleyball arena has giant rubber cushions built into it to limit earthquake damage.
The Olympic Village is also sheltered, with a seawall built to stop tsunamis as tall as 6.5 feet.
In March this year, a magnitude 7.2 quake struck near the east coast of Honshu, causing buildings in Tokyo to shake and sparking a Tsunami warning.
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But the damage was nothing like that caused in 2011, when Japan recorded its strongest earthquake in history.
The magnitude 9.0 blast took place 130 kilometers (81 miles) east of Sendai, the largest city in the Tohoku region, and triggered a tsunami.
It killed more than 18,000 people.
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