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Earthquake in Japan
Tsunami alert
Mar 11th 2011, 7:11 by A.T. | HONG KONG
An extremely powerful earthquake has struck north-eastern Japan
OUR correspondent in Tokyo reports via e-mail that phone lines are down in the capital, and people are pouring out into the streets. At early stages there is no sign of falling buildings, but a strong aftershock has just been felt. Crowds roared with fright along the busy shopping street of Omotesando when the second shake struck, though no visible damage was done there. Smoke is billowing from a building in central Tokyo; most citizens can't remember anything like this.
America’s geological survey estimates that the quake reached the magnitude of 8.8, with its epicentre 382km north-east of Tokyo, at a depth of 32 miles.
Japan put out its highest grade of tsunami alert along the Pacific coast of Miyagi prefecture; a similar alert has gone into effect along Russia’s coast and in the Mariana islands. An earthquake of this magnitude can be expected to generate a tsunami of about 6m in height. Televised images already show a raft of cars pulled into harbour at Iwate in northern Japan.
Miyagi’s nuclear plant shut down automatically and Shinkansen trains have been halted across the country.
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Update from Tokyo:
All power stations on the Pacific East Coast of Japan north of Chiba prefecture (just southeast of Tokyo) are now shut down. Tsunami went off-scale at the port of Souma in Fukushima Prefecture, where the scale went up to 7.3m.
There have been 3 aftershocks greater than M7.0 (Richter Scale) and 6 more between M6.0 and M6.9 so far, with more expected. All Japan Railways service East and north of Shizuoka Prefecture are currently suspended, and public transport in Tokyo is totally suspended.
Reports of fatalities are beginning to come in, but I fear that it will take days before the full picture emerges, particularly with the massive Tsunami damage up north... After going down under last month, my prayers now goes north to people close to the epicentre.
Well do I remember it was just after I had finished reading the Schumpeter column of the Economist that I felt the ground shake very aggressively.
I live in Fukushima Precefture,where the magnitude of the earthquake reached as high a one as 7.3.I even came across the thought that I might be going to die.So far,more than 200 people's lives have regrettably been reported to have been lost in the formidable natural disaster.Also,all the TV programmes have been occupied by the news and reports solely about the earthquake,which is repeatedly reported to be the biggest in the history of Japan.What is more onerous is that it has just been reported that nuclear substance was probably out of facilities,apart from some regions being drowned by Tsunami.
Fortunately,I am safe,but I have felt subsequent earthquakes many times.
I was also struck as angry at how aloof and relaxed the young Japanese were with this earthquake when they appealed to the camera.
Anyway,I hope for nothing but the safety of everyone.I want no more people's lives to be lost.
The report from the local Police said at least 60 people were killed and 56 were missing. There are probable chances of these numbers to increase. The earthquake has caused major damage in broad areas in northern Japan. Trains, Public Transport, Oil refineries, Nuclear plants have been shut down. Almost all major markets experienced decline today.
If you are worried for the safety of you friend or relative who is in Japan right now and if he or she is not picking up your calls or replying to your messages consider using the Person Finder tool to find his or her status. at (http://www.theworldreporter.com/2011/03/89-earthquake-in-japan-tsunami-w...)
If you are in Japan and have information about your friend or relative then also you can use the tool to give information so that his relatives or friends can track him. If you are a webmaster kindly include this Person Finder tool on your website to help your visitors.
This is devastating for Japan. I am stunned by the magnitude of the aftershocks and the destruction generated from the resulting tsunami. Hang in there Japan! Hopefully relief isn't too far away...