Japan rocked by Quake and Tsunami

[TN TITAN Fan In STL]

TOKYO – 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

[nalo]

For all you hawaii people we are now under a tsunami warning!!!
Please go to higher grounds!!!

They predict the tsunami to hit hawaii around 2:30AM
Be safe guys!!!


a-l-o-h-a

[dave nz]

Sickening, I just hope that since it was centred 125 kilometers off the coast, its not too major BECAUSE magnitude 8.9 and 10 kilometres depth is VERY BAD

[dave nz]

tsunami warning here too

[Ricky Tan]

Tsunami Alert for New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Hawaii, and others. Waves expected over the next few hours, caused by 8.9 earthquake in Japan.

[Sweetleaf22]

that thing is nasty.....................not much you can do but take it's rath.....

[HAMILROCK]

stay safe guys...

[rjb1816]

pretty crazy stuff...hoping for the best

[Patriots Game]

California going to get it too. Stay sage guys.

[Jahred]

Supermoon only days away

We are all fuked soon

[Trossi3389]

Uggh !! Stay alert and safe guys...

[the penguin]

talked to my brother this am that lives in hawaii. he said the streets are deserted and it looks like a ghost town. this was like 1/2 hour before the 1st waves were to hit.

[ParrotHead]

Stay safe guys. Got an uncle and his family who live in Hawaii

[NightCap424]

prayers with everyone....scary situation for sure.

[HAMILROCK]

Japan just got hit again with a 6.6