One of the most powerful earthquakes to hit Japan in years broke the country's New Year's Day calm, claiming multiple lives and causing significant damage.

The magnitude-7.6 temblor struck near the Sea of Japan coast on Monday afternoon. On the Noto Peninsula in the prefecture of Ishikawa -- a region that has seen an alarming surge in seismic activity in recent years -- it registered the maximum of 7 on Japan's own intensity scale.

The earthquake prompted warnings of a major tsunami, although these were later downgraded. The full scope of the disaster remains unclear, while the government has scrambled rescue workers.