7.1 Earthquake Rocks Tokyo

Wall of water rips down buildings

(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. More»

Registered as magnitude 6.1

(AP) - An earthquake has rattled the Tokyo area hours after a stronger tremor caused a small tsunami on the northern Japanese coast. The Japan Meteorological Agency said the second earthquake was magnitude 6.1, and took place just off the coast of Chiba, east of Tokyo, at a rather shallow 6 miles below the sea surface. There was no immediate report of damage or injury from the second quake. The 6.8-magnitude tremor earlier last night caused a small swelling of water on the northern coast, including part of the region hit by last year's massive earthquake and tsunami. More»

But no injuries, damage reported

(AP) - A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck under the sea south of Japan today, shaking buildings in the capital but causing no apparent damage or tsunami. The quake struck near the uninhabited island of Torishima in the Pacific Ocean, about 370 miles south of Tokyo, and its epicenter was about 230 miles below the sea, the Meterological Agency said. Buildings in the Tokyo area shook, but no damage or injuries were reported, and no abnormalities were reported at power plants. More»

Aftershocks expected to continue for up to 10 years

(NEWSER) - As aftershocks from the devastating March 11 earthquake continue to rock Japan, doctors say they been treating large numbers of people suffering from "earthquake sickness." Sufferers sometimes think the ground is shaking even when it isn't; other symptoms include dizziness and anxiety. Doctors liken the feeling of "phantom quakes" to the swaying sensation people feel when they step off a boat onto land. More»

Seven ways to donate and spread awareness

(NEWSER) - If the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan has you feeling helpless, turn to Mashable . The site rounds up seven ways you can do something—even if you’re broke:

• Like a page: For each person that “likes” the “Dog Bless You” Facebook page for search and rescue dogs, Explore.org will donate $1.
• Use Twitter hashtags: Hashtags to tweet or follow include #Jishin for general information, #Anpi to confirm the safety of people or places, #Hinan for evacuation info, and #311care for medical care info.