The 1998 Ryukyu Islands earthquake (石垣島南方沖地震, Ishigakijima nanpō-oki jishin) occurred on May 4, 1998 at 08:30 local time (UTC+9) (on May 3 at 23:30 UTC) in the Philippine Sea region with M_w 7.5 (USGS) and M7.7 (JMA). The epicenter was 260 km (162 mi) from Ishigaki Island, Japan, 400 km (249 mi) from Basco, Philippines, and 425 km (264 mi) from Hualian, Taiwan. A small local tsunami of 4 cm (2 in) was observed on Miyako. The earthquake was felt in the Ryukyu Islands and in parts of eastern Taiwan. The highest intensity was shindo 3 recorded on Yonaguni, Ishigaki, and Miyako.