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Friday, March 11, 2011

8.9 Magnitude Earthquake and Tsunami Hits Japan

An 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of northeastern Japan earlier today. The earthquake consequently created a 10 meter (approximately 32 feet) tsunami which swept into land, pulling ships onto shore and carrying cars further inland.

The earthquake was originally estimated to be around 7.9 magnitude (Mw scale), but later was confirmed to be an 8.9 magnitude earthquake (Mw scale).

Cars riddled in water brought inland by the tsunami.
Source: Agence France-Presse/Getty Images


The tsunami caused unrest throughout the country, including Tokyo where subway service was suspended and power was cut off for approximately 4.1 million houses. Looking ahead, it looks like any damages caused by the earthquake should not be as significant as the tsunami itself, since many of Japan's modern buildings are built to resist large-magnitude earthquakes. Tsunami's on the other hand are much harder to defend against.

Major airports temporarily in Japan halted flights. Financials were affected as both the Yen and the Tokyo Stock Exchange experienced losses.

The epicenter of the earthquake in northeast Japan.
Source: The Wall Street Journal

With Japan already experiencing an economic slump and internal political problems, this only adds more tension to the land of the rising sun.

As a student minoring in the Japanese language, this is hard for me to witness. I appreciate Japan as a country and its rich culture and people.

Let's hope that people get the help they need quickly and efficiently.

26 comments:

  1. I feel pretty bad for the Japanese people. Not their greatest day. Hopefully the road to recovery from this might bring the country to renewed heights.

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  2. Thank goodness their buildings are built with earthquakes in mind.

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  3. Aww, I actually like that country.

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  4. I have some co-workers in Tokyo who are trapped in the office since the stair case is overcrowded and obviously the elevators are not working.
    Pretty scary stuff.

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  5. My thoughts are with those affected.

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  6. Got some friends over there on the student exchange program. All safe thankfully. Thoughts and prayers go out to all involved.

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  7. That's terrible, they haven't had the best luck lately. Hopefully things pick up, and hopefully it was too devastating.

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  8. i sure hope they get the help they need too!

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  9. My heart goes out to everyone that is affected

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  10. very sad stuff, my thoughts are with those affected.

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  11. Japan is the most earthquake-prepared country in the world. They build their structures to be earthquake and tsunami resistant.

    With that said, look at the damage that still happened. If this were any other country, it would be exponentially worse...

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  12. Sad news, everyone in NZ had been recovering from the Christchurch earthquake and now this happens.

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  13. that's just crazy and horrible :( I'm very sad to hear. Everyone: donate to them, if you can. :(

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  14. this is so sad. but japanese people are extremely helpful and hard workers.. so they will rebuild and become even stronger :)

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  15. its honestly just sad. but atleast this will open the way for green energy

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  16. Don't pray. Donate money. Praying doesn't do anything.

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