Big 8.8 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

[subbieatnz]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/47...ter-earthquake

LATEST: Numerous injuries have been reported after Japan was struck by a magnitude-8.8 earthquake off its northeastern coast, triggering a 4-metre tsunami that washed away cars and tore away buildings along the coast near the epicentre.

In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed severe flooding, 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.

Numerous injuries were reported by police in Japan's Miyagi prefecture, Kyodo news reported.

Officials were trying to assess possible damage from the quake but had no immediate details. There was also a warning of a 10-metre tsunami following the quake, Japan's biggest in 7 years.

The quake that struck 2:46 p.m. was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The US Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.8, after initially saying it was 7.9

The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan. National broadcaster NHK was warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre 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 US state of Hawaii.

The quake struck at a depth of 10km, about 125km off the eastern coast, the agency said. The area is 380 kilometres 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.

Black smoke was also pouring out of an industrial area in Yokohama's Isogo area.

"The building shook for what seemed a long time and many people in the newsroom grabbed their helmets and some got under their desks," Reuters correspondent Linda Sieg said.

"It was probably the worst I have felt since I came to Japan more than 20 years ago."

Passengers on a subway line in Tokyo screamed and grabbed other passengers' hands. The shaking was so bad it was hard to stand, said Reuters reporter Mariko Katsumura.

In central Tokyo, trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.

Footage on NHK from their Sendai office showed employees stumbling around and books and papers crashing from desks.

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.

Japan's defence ministry has deployed eight military planes to check damage

Japan's northeast Pacific coast, called Sanriku, has suffered from quakes and tsunamis in the past and a 7.2 quake struck on Wednesday. In 1933, a magnitude 8.1 quake in the area killed more than 3,000 people. Last year fishing facilities were damaged after by a tsunami caused by a strong tremor in Chile.

Earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world's most seismically active areas. The country accounts for about 20 percent of the world's earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.

- AP and Reuters

[Tomodachi]

I live and work in Japan. I'm lucking I live in Southern Japan. Have lots of friends and family in the Tokyo area, their are safe and sound. Latest report 56 died and many missing, too early to really know the total impact!! Please, everyone say a pray or two!!
Arigato,
Sincerely,
Tomodaachi

[Huskymaniac]

I am hearing 8.9 and 60 dead at the latest count. Could you feel any worse for these folks? At least the Japanese have been working hard to quake-proof their buildings. Nothing is perfect but what they did certainly helps. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do about Tsunamis. We are made of mostly water. Our planet is covered mostly with water. We need water to survive. But water can be our worst enemy. I am pumping out about 400-500 gallons an hour from my basement right now due to the spring storms and melting snow. I feel guilty being so stressed out about my little problem when these people are in living hell right now.

[Alex-svx]

I feel realy sorry for the Japan people and they that live there.
I look on the news here i Norway and its not looking good.

I realy hope all get a house to live in and get take good care of.

[svxcess]

HERE IS SOME NEW RELATED INFORMATION

The earthquake and tsunami have had significant immediate impacts on businesses such as Toyota, Nissan, Subaru and Honda, who completely suspended auto production until 14 March. Nippon Steel Corporation also suspended production, Toyo Tire & Rubber Company and Sumitomo Rubber Industries shuttered their tire and rubber production lines, while GS Yuasa closed its automotive battery production.

This was expected to hinder supply availability for automakers. Tokyo Electric Power Company, Toshiba, East Japan Railway Company and Shin-Etsu Chemical Company were suggested as the most vulnerable companies as a result of the earthquake.

Sony also suspended production at all its six plants in the area, while Fuji Heavy Industries said it had closed eight of its ten factories, including all five car and car parts-related plants for its Subaru-brand vehicles in Gunma prefecture, north of Tokyo. It also suspended operations at its aircraft and power products factories in Tochigi.

Other factories suspending operations include Kirin Holdings, GlaxoSmithKline, Nestlé and Toyota amid power cuts. The northern Tohoku region, which was most affected, accounts for about 8 percent of the country's gross domestic product as it has factories that make products such as cars and beer as well as energy infrastructure.

The factory shutdowns, power cuts and the consequent presumed impact on consumer confidence could hurt the national GDP for several months, although economist Michael Boskin predicts "only minimal impact on the Japanese economy overall."


More information can be found HERE

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[Bobb]

Hi everyone, The first magnitude number for the Japan earthquake was 8.9. It has now been rated as a 9.0. So what you say? A 9.0 is twice as powerful as an 8.9. The earthquake in Chile last year was an 8.8. I'm waiting on the San Andreas fault, which according to the USGS is past due for the "BIG ONE" A friend of my daughter teaches engrish in Japan. We checked and she is OK. Take care, BOBB