At least 25 earthquakes have struck off the coast of Japan in the last 24 hours, with some reaching strengths over 6.0 in magnitude.

The largest in the series was recorded as a 6.8 magnitude and prompted a tsunami warning that lasted several hours before being canceled, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The quakes ranged in strength from a 4.5 magnitude, with many reaching magnitudes over 5.0, that could cause damage and possible loss of life.

The cluster sat about 75 miles off the coast of the Iwate Prefecture, with one earthquake striking further north near the Hokkaido Prefecture.

Why It Matters

Japan sits atop the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where the Pacific Plate interacts with several others, such as the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

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