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8.9 Quake Rips Tokyo, Tsunami Shatters Coast

Wall of water rips down buildings

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2011 12:38 AM CST

(Newser) – A tsunami rammed the coast of Japan following a powerful 8.9-magnitude earthquake that violently shook buildings in Tokyo and sent panicked residents into the streets. The extent of damage and injuries is not yet known from the quake and aftermath, but TV cameras showed a powerful Pacific wave ripping down buildings and tumbling cars down streets several miles inland in coastal towns. Fires triggered by the quake burned uncontrolled up and down the coast, reports AP. One death was reported in Tokyo, but many others are expected in the nation. "This is a rare major quake, and damages could quickly rise by the minute," warned an official.

The epicenter of the quake was some 80 miles off the Pacific shore of the Miyagi prefecture.The first massive quake was followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, including one measuring magnitude 7.4. A tsunami warning is still in effect for the entire Pacific coast of Japan, as well as for Russia, Marcus Island, and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Hawaii.

Reporters at the Associated Press Tokyo Bureau in Tokyo take shelter under a table while a strong earthquake strikes eastern Japan today.
Reporters at the Associated Press Tokyo Bureau in Tokyo take shelter under a table while a strong earthquake strikes eastern Japan today.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Office workers in Tokyo's Shiodome district near Tokyo Bay stay on the pedestrian deck Friday, March 11, 2011, shortly after a  7.9-magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan's northeastern coast.
Office workers in Tokyo's Shiodome district near Tokyo Bay stay on the pedestrian deck Friday, March 11, 2011, shortly after a 7.9-magnitude earthquake has struck off Japan's northeastern coast.   (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Black smoke rises from a burning building in Tokyo after Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast today.
Black smoke rises from a burning building in Tokyo after Japan was struck by a magnitude 8.9 earthquake off its northeastern coast today.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
disciple
Mar 11, 2011 6:18 PM CST
http://www.scribd.com/doc/50566174/Japan-the-Ground-Moved
YetAnotherCollegeKid
Mar 11, 2011 6:02 AM CST
Holy... shit. If I were the praying type, I would be praying for Tokyo right now.
JackNelsonSteward
Mar 11, 2011 5:47 AM CST
Tune to Fox News to find out how Obama did this.

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