8.9 Magnitude Earthquake in Japan
Powerful earthquake struck Japan at 2:46pm local time on Friday, March 11, 2011. The most powerful earthquake to hit Japan in at least 100 years unleashed walls of water Friday that swept across rice fields, engulfing towns, dragging houses onto highways and tossing cars and boats like toys, apparently killing hundreds and forcing the evacuations of tens of thousands.
The epicenter of the quake was 81 miles east of Sendai, Japan. The tremor triggered a tsunami that swept away everything in its path and triggered alerts across the Pacific Basin.
A second quake struck central Japan along the northwest coast hours later, causing buildings to sway. It was listed as a 6.2 by the U.S. Geological Survey. There are many aftershocks and subsequent earthquakes that Japan is facing. Concerns about the lines of communication being kept open for rescuers and radiation leaks at the nuclear power plants are high.
An explosion at the earthquake-struck Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was not caused by damage to the nuclear reactor but by a pumping system that failed as crews tried to bring the reactor's temperature down, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said Saturday. Radiation levels have fallen since the explosion and there is no immediate danger, Edano said. But authorities were nevertheless expanding the evacuation to include a radius of 20 kilometers (about 12.5 miles) around the plant. The evacuation previously reached out to 10 kilometers.
More than 1,500 people are confirmed dead from the devastating earthquake and tsunami which hit northeastern Japan on Friday. Miyagi Prefecture has confirmed 643 deaths in Higashi-matsushima, Kesen-numa and Sendai cities. In Arahama, Wakabayashi ward in Sendai city, 200 to 300 bodies were discovered on the beaches. They are believed to be of people who were swept away by the tsunami. Recovery operations are being hampered by the scale of wreckage. In the coastal town of Minami-Sanriku, most private homes and other structures have been washed away. About 10,000 people, or more than half the total population of 17,000, remain missing. Miyagi prefectural police say the death toll in their prefecture alone is almost certain to exceed 10,000. Total confirmed deaths from the disaster now stand at 1,596. The number of people whose whereabouts are unknown exceeds 10,000. =(
An NHK survey found that as of 5pm Sunday, about 300,000 people had entered evacuation facilities in 6 prefectures in the Tohoku region.
The landscape had been radically altered by earthquake and the tsunami. The powerful earthquake that unleashed a devastating tsunami Friday appears to have moved the main island of Japan by 8 feet (2.4 meters) and shifted the Earth on its axis.
The Japanese quake comes just weeks after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Christchurch on February 22, toppling historic buildings and killing more than 150 people. The time-frame of the two quakes have raised questions whether the two incidents are related, but experts say the distance between the two incidents makes that unlikely.
Tokyo Electric Power Company warned Saturday that many areas could experience blackouts as quake and tsunami damage has forced power plants to shut down and put a strain on electrical supplies, the Japan Times reported. As of noon Saturday Japan time, 5.1 million households were without power, according to the report.
In Shiroishi, a town near the area hardest hit by the quake, two SH-60 helicopters from U.S. Naval Air Facility Atsugi delivered 1,500 pounds of rice and bread donated by people in Ebina, southeast of Tokyo, the U.S. 7th Fleet, said in a statement Saturday.
About 50,000 Japan Self-Defense Force personnel were being deployed Saturday in quake and tsunami relief efforts, according to a Kyodo report in The Japan Times. Japan's Defense Ministry said 190 aircraft and 25 ships were involved in the effort, according to the report.
With all the news coverage surrounding this disaster, we need to filter out the sensational depictions from the actual facts.
Let's pray and hope our friends and family over there are safe. As the situation appears to grow worse, the strength and the resiliency of the Japanese people are amazing. The goodwill and help offered by many countries and corporations are a great example of how working together, we can overcome adversity.
Good site for up-to-date info:
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/index.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42023385/ns/world_news-asiapacific/
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/yokosonews
Yea this is terrible. :(
Oh dear, I hope everyone is fine, including Danny's and all of our comrades.
I am REALLY worried because my friends are there and some just returned to Japan last week and THIS happens!!
And I was going to go back there next week but was luckily saved before this happened, but I am extremely worried about the condition of my friends that are living there and returned D':
Same here. I have a friend who is there on vacation at the moment ;_;
My friend was supposed to go today >.<
It's being reported as 8.9 magnitude now. D:
=( worry
I don't believe entirely in prayers but I do hope that the japanese citizens who got affected are safe.
Watch live English language stream from Al Jazeera:
http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/
Oh gosh...I hope the civilians there are alright.
My prayers are with those in Japan hope you are safe and for those living in the countries which are under watch like Taiwan please keep yourself safe.
OMG
I hope everyone is safe
I hope everyone's alright, 8.8 must be a really big one :/
agree, 8.8 is a real deal, just pray for everyone safety there >.<
omg 8.9 already =.=
I got the news from a friend and search about it. The city looks like a river, it's really terrible.
Oh god, my prayers go out to everyone.
Just heard this from my friend. And I think Danny is in HK right now. Anyway, hope everything can back into normal soon.....o
Heard the news, terrible, but I think Danny is in Hong Kong though, still, terrible.....
Just terrible. All I can do is look in shock while seeing Sendai being flooded by tsunamis. That's just brutally rough.....I pray for the best for those affected.
Hopefully the other countries in the pacific are more prepared. This is the worst type of earthquake for a tsunami. 8.9 magnitude is no laughing matter.
may the japanese make a speedy recovery
well good thing that Japan is prepared for earthquakes, bad thing this magnitude destroy cities (Tokyo Magnitude 8.0), and what with Tsunami? any news
The tsunami is cause the most damage the waves are 13 high and up now the waves are taking out whole neighborhoods
HLJ released statement about it http://www.hlj.com/
Their warehouse got hit that is crazy poor japanese
Theres an anime called Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, and I say, dam 8.9 magnitude is wayyy more destructive than the anime. I will pray for everyone in Japan.
Wow watching it on the news the flooding is horrible and there is no radiation leaks
Thinking of everyone in Japan and all who are affected by the tsunami o_o Hope this passes >_<!!!
=[ just heard about it and was spamming my friends about it on FB XD
>.< please be safe everyone!!!!!!!!!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12709598
video of some of the waves inland
it looks bad really hope there is no casualties
i have faith in the resilience and survivability of the Japanese people. good luck over there bros
So Terrible.. Pray for Japan
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/foxtokimekitonight
another live feed.
An Oil refinery in Chiba just caught on fire along with 10m Tsunami ...This is chao
All the live video I've been watching is so horrible. Those waves just took out anything and everything in Sendai city, Tokyo's on fire, even saw smoke near the TV Tokyo building. Reminds me of when I watching Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, but this is real life and this is an 8.8-8.9 earthquake. I'm so focused on this at the moment I can't even do my homework properly.
It's is amazing how the japanese government are on top of this whole matter already they have dispatched rescue emergency crews , contacted other governments They are a nation that loves their people they will recover and prosper again ......
I really hope that everyone is okay over there. That's some crazy earthquake >.<
Hobby Link Japan's putting up pictures of their warehouse on their twitter. It's horrifying, but it's much better than a report that someone was killed there. Human life is more important than merchandise.
Tsunami sirens flared up about 15 minutes ago. First waves are scheduled to hit, here, a little after 0200 HST. I'm watching and hearing many of my neighbors fleeing Waikiki for higher ground.
http://www.pdc.org/tsunami.html
Time correction...a little before 0300 HST...
Ugh, at least I live in Mililani...
I still have school tomorrow, though! damn punahou...
Hope all the comrade in Japan is ok. D:
That's horrible.. I really hope the best for those, who live in Japan. Breaking news totally. (;.;)
just heard on the news that Tokyo Disny Land parking is filled with water from the tsunami.
Disnyland parking lot*
Hope all the people safe in Japan,Good luck to those who was in earth quake and tsunami T_T
earthquake is ok but tsunami = killer..... 仙台 get hitted hard
I'm speechless, It's horrible watching the live feed and seeing devastation.
Earthquake was so strong, it bent the top of Tokyo Tower:
http://www.jiji.com/jc/d4?d=d4_topics&p=eqa200-jlp10575297
My most heartfelt thoughts and prayers for all japanese people
I just woke up from my nap and this happened. Hope everything is well. First it was Yunnan, now Sendai.
Just got the news: there's a probability that another quake will come. Really, this is shit...
Oh dear lord...
I just hope everyone in Japan is alright.
My obaachan cried when she saw this on her NHK channel. She is calling all of her friends.
I pray for the japanese people.
OMG! An offical warning for the west coast of the US has been issued by the emergency broadcast system. They say the wave is imminent, arriving approximately 8:08AM San Francisco time.
This is really surreal, I still think were OK though because I checked elevation and it claims that I am over 200 feet in elevation but since I'm in the district that is not too far from the water, I am a bit concerned. Probably not going to get sleep tonight due to this and lots of homework.
This is terrible :( I pray that every one is ok ...
I'm glad my sister moved out of the Bay Area a couple months ago. D: Can't even imagine what this tsunami will do to San Fran and the rest of the west coast...
I got home from work and saw this come up on the news and have been keeping up on the live feeds since and it is indeed very tragic and my thoughts and prayers go out to all those in Japan as well as all those who are on a Tsunami alert.
Not a pleasant experience. I'm glad I live away from the sea, have no desire to experience a tsunami as well. I'm watching the damage on the TV, really terrible. Not much trouble around here thankfully. Hopefully the possible second quake won't come.
My prayers goes to everyone affected. 8.9 is a killer magnitude.
I hope the Japanese will get to recovery as soon as possible! All the best!
Omg. This is shocking. I pray that God grants them strength to get through this difficult time.
Hope everyone is ok..
One of things I don't like about Japan , Hawaii and California. I wish every one the best and hope the casualties are low.
Sad news, I'll pray for Japan that everyone is alright.
the shit is crazy!
i heard at french web tv they have 44 dead in Tokyo!
and Sendai is in bad shape!
i hope everything will be ok soon and that people will be ok as well especially philippines !
Actually now there are around 700 people MISSING and around 1,000 are DEAD...Imagine the number of how many are injured!
yeah this is CRAZY!
and now they are talking about the nuclear reactor and they might have some bigger problem now i'm worried!!!
I really hope they are all right...yeah, I heard about the nuclear reactor problems too, and it seems some people are being exposed to radioactivity and other bad things from nuclear plants...
since this morning i heard a lot of things and i stopped watching the news because i dunno who i can believe :/
let's hope this radioactivity will not be bad and they can repair the reactor!
I just heard about it just now. I pray everyone is ok. It is terrible.
I'll be sending out my thoughts and having a little ritual tonight, to make sure all affected are sent peace.
Best wishes to all of those in Japan and in the possible tsunami zones throughout the Pacific.
Our hearts are with you , be strong !
Ganbatte Nihon! Banzai Nihon!
Hoping that the humans who work at the various doll and figure companies in Japan are OK. If figures and dolls get broken it's different than humans getting injured and killed.
this is horrible, I hope that the make a fast recovery, prayers to the people
Lets pray for everyones safety. I also hope nothing bad happened to the 1/1 RX78.
8.9 that's practically just offshore... It's terrible. 300+ dead is 300+ too many...
8.9!? Yikes, that is HUGE. Saw Danny's post saying that he's okay since he was in Hong Kong still when it hit, but he sounded like he was pretty worried about friends and colleagues still in Japan. I'm also pained to hear that Sendai was particularly hard hit; my Japanese teacher at my old school came from there, and as far as I'm aware still had family there. I hope for her sake they're okay.
Saw the news and images at work of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. By now saw most Japanese Twitter friends are safe but hope the casualties are minimal. >_<
man this is rally sad news to wake up to. My heart goes out to the country I hope they pull through
:( thats terrible, I hope everyone's friends and family members who are over there are okay, and everyone else over there too.
hope everything will be ok soon..:(
I HOPE EVERYONE IS OK AND SAFE TOO
about 700 are MISSING!!!
this is a nigthmare for everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeathBringer was laughing here.... jeez
If 'earthquake' is human or something else i would kill em!!
;_; so sad~~ I hope it recovers soon