Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster In Japan

[chipwich]

By MALCOLM FOSTER, Associated Press â€" 4 mins ago
TOKYO â€" Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast Friday, unleashing a 13-foot (4-meter) tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicenter. There were reports of injuries in Tokyo.
In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed massive damage from the tsunami, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK.
Officials were trying to assess damage, injuries and deaths from the quake but had no immediate details.
The quake that struck at 2:46 p.m. was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9, while Japan's meteorological agency measured it at 7.9.
The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan. NHK was warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the U.S. state of Hawaii.
The quake struck at a depth of six miles (10 kilometers), about 80 miles (125 kilometers) off the eastern coast, the agency said. The area is 240 miles (380 kilometers) northeast of Tokyo.
In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety. TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.
In central Tokyo, trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.
The ceiling in Kudan Kaikan, a large hall in Tokyo, collapsed, injuring an unknown number of people, NHK said.
Footage on NHK from their Sendai office showed employees stumbling around and books and papers crashing from desks. It also showed a glass shelter at a bus stop in Tokyo completely smashed by the quake and a weeping woman nearby being comforted by another woman.
Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.
Thirty minutes after the quake, tall buildings were still swaying in Tokyo and mobile phone networks were not working. Japan's Coast Guard has set up task force and officials are standing by for emergency contingencies, Coast Guard official Yosuke Oi said.
"I'm afraid we'll soon find out about damages, since the quake was so strong," he said
/quote]


Very large and possibly catastrophic Earthquake has struck off the coast of Japan about an hour and half ago.  Luckily Japan is very well prepared for such an event.  This may affect many other Pacific countries as well.  Wish them the best.

[BridgeTroll]

No country is more prepared for earthquake and Tsunami than Japan.  My thoughts are with them...

[Dapperdan]

It doesn't matter how prepared you are for a Tsunami, a 20 foot one like the one that hit Japan will kill hundreds to even thousands of people. I expect the death toll to rise significantly. Our thoughts and prayers are with those caught in that nightmare.

[BridgeTroll]

The tsunami video is incredible... incredible destruction...

[BridgeTroll]

Live feed from Hawaii... 6-7 foot prediction....

http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream2&hpt=T1

[Garden guy]

My heart goes out to them all...

[fsujax]

watching live feed from Hawaii. Nothing major yet.

[Captain Zissou]

I saw that the town of Hilo (where one of my best friends lives) is expecting 12-14 foot waves.  Hilo is a town of over 40,000.  I hope they are able to reach shelter and that minimal, if any, damage occurs.
My friend was supposed to board a plane just as the earthquake happened, so I hope she is safely in the air headed for solid ground in CA.  Pray for all of those in the path of these waves.

[Jason]

That footage from Japan is absolutely amazing and frightening at the same time.  The raw power of these waves is imeasurable.

My thoughts and prayers are with those affected.

[BridgeTroll]

I would expect in the coming days to see footage similar to the Thailand tsunami videos...

[Shwaz]

Watching some clips on CNN now. Can't believe what I'm seeing.

[fsujax]

I cant watch videos at work! dang it.

[Ocklawaha]

WORLDS 3RD LARGEST OIL REFINERY BURNING - JAPANS MAIN OIL SUPPLY!

OCKLAWAHA

[Shwaz]

[duvaldude08]

Damn it man. This sucks. Things of this magnitude is always a reminder to be grateful. Things could always be worse. I just hope there arent any other major tsunamis as a results of this.