8.9 Magnitude Earthquake in Japan

[kas]

it seems to be getting worse with these nuclear plants, more explosions, more radiation. They are saying if this happens the trade winds could take the radiation all the way to the US, everywhere is selling out of iodine.

[Buntzen]

Ah, kas, this is beyond words.  This video was taken as the tsunami struck; I've not seen some of this footage:
http://dd-idham.blogspot.com/2011/03/youtube-great-video-record-of-japan.html

It seems the government has done a bit of spin on the true conditions of the nuclear situation; much more grim than they've described.  How can a nation survive this true tsunami of one disaster atop another?

[kas]

I think most countries have upgraded their travel warnings about Japan.

Now they have to deal with heavy snow which is hampering rescue!

those clips make you feel really down, I keep thinking how scared were these people, I remember hearing after the Christchurch earthquake, emerg departments at hosp were seeing people coming in with cardiac problems called...Broken Heart, it's a type of cardiomyopathy, this I heard from Dr's. I know the Japanese are very resourceful people, but this must break the strongest

[Buntzen]

It's good to hear they're beginning to make some progress opening roads, providing food, etc.  Also, the magnitude of aftershocks is finally beginning to lessen.  I'm certain any glimmer of hope is a balm for shattered nerves.

[Buntzen]

An AWWWWW moment when a dog won't leave its mate, leading rescuers to where it lay wounded.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8386123/Loyal-Japanese-dog-leads-rescuers-to-mate.html

[JillM]

An AWWWWW moment when a dog won't leave its mate, leading rescuers to where it lay wounded.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8386123/Loyal-Japanese-dog-leads-rescuers-to-mate.html

Really brings a lump to the throat - the look on the dogs faces at the end says it all.

I found a longer version which shows the utter devastation all around.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH113NEpY0k

[Buntzen]

Ah, Jill, that clip truly captures the context; when he cuddles up, then puts his arm (leg) around the neck of his companion... have to say my eyes were a bit moist.

I hope they're able to keep them together; It says they've both been taken to the same town, though the companion is still in the hospital.  Can you imagine the reunion??  

Thank you for posting.

[I_love_henley67]

An AWWWWW moment when a dog won't leave its mate, leading rescuers to where it lay wounded.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8386123/Loyal-Japanese-dog-leads-rescuers-to-mate.html
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I saw that video and that is sad. I know that the one dog loved its friend, how cute is that

[Buntzen]

The aftershocks had begun to lessen in intensity for the last couple of days until this a.m. when another 6.4 occurred.

Another 6.9 earthquake occurred in SE Asia; Burma.

I know this area has a great deal of tectonic activity, but the magnitude of this is concerning.

[kas]

lets just hope things start to settle down, it's all getting scary with the world falling apart

[I_love_henley67]

I just heard they had a 6.5 not long ago, there is another tsunami warning. those poor people. My prayers are with them all

[kas]

these can go on for about 12mths, someone also said up to 18mths for after shocks

[I_love_henley67]

I know aftershocks can last a long time, but they did not need another tsunami warning, that is now lifted as of the last news cast so that is a good thing.

[Buntzen]

I just heard they had a 6.5 not long ago, there is another tsunami warning. those poor people. My prayers are with them all

I read that also and was curious about 'aftershocks'; apparently anything less than the initial earthquake is called an aftershock.  The magnitude of some of these aftershocks and certainly the frequency is concerning.  I don't recall reading of this frequency and magnitude of aftershocks in the Thailand earthquake.

This is simply horrific.   

[Buntzen]

Stats from Japan's disaster released 2 hours ago by Reuters:
"DEATH TOLL
* A total of 11,938 people were confirmed dead by Japan's National Police Agency , while 15,478 were missing.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE EVACUATED
* More than 164,200 people were in shelters around the country Another 136,000 people were within a zone extending a further 10 km in which residents are recommended to leave or stay indoors.
HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT ELECTRICITY
* A total of 168,586 households in the north were without electricity
HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT WATER
* At least 220,000 households in eight prefectures were without running water
NUMBER OF BUILDINGS DAMAGED
* 45,761 buildings have been completely destroyed
IMPACT ON ECONOMY
The government has said it estimated damage from the earthquake and tsunami at 16 trillion to 25 trillion yen ($190 billion-$298 billion). The top estimate would make it the world's costliest natural disaster.
The estimate covers damage to roads, homes, factories and other infrastructure, but excludes lost economic activity from power outages and costs arising from damage to the Fukushima nuclear power plant, as well as the impact of swings in financial markets and business sentiment."

The figures (as of 1100 GMT Saturday) are staggering.