Japan Earthquake Upgraded to 8.8

Tokyo, March 11 (DPA) The intensity of the earthquake that hit Japan Friday was upgraded to a magnitude of 8.8 from 7.9, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake struck off north-eastern Japan Friday afternoon, generating tsunami warnings, shaking Tokyo and causing fires to break out.

The epicentre of the quake was 130 km east of Sendai and 373 km north-east of Tokyo, the Geological Survey said. It occurred at a depth of 24.4 km, it said.

Japan Tsunami Hits Kessenuma

In various locations along Japan's coast, TV footage showed severe flooding, with dozens of cars, boats and even buildings being carried along by waters. A large ship swept away by the tsunami rammed directly into a breakwater in Kesennuma city in Miyagi prefecture, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK.


Officials were trying to assess possible damage from the quake but had no immediate details.

The quake that struck 2:46 p.m. local time was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a 7.4-magnitude one about 30 minutes later. The US Geological Survey upgraded the strength of the first quake to a magnitude 8.9.

The meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the entire Pacific coast of Japan. National broadcaster NHK was warning those near the coast to get to safer ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii said a tsunami warning was in effect for Japan, Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas. A tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and the U.S. state of Hawaii.

The quake struck at a depth of six miles, about 80 miles off the eastern coast, the agency said. The area is 240 miles northeast of Tokyo.

In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety. TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of Tokyo.

In central Tokyo, trains were stopped and passengers walked along the tracks to platforms.

Footage on NHK from their Sendai office showed employees stumbling around and books and papers crashing from desks.

Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.

Thirty minutes after the quake, tall buildings were still swaying in Tokyo and mobile phone networks were not working. Japan's Coast Guard has set up task force and officials are standing by for emergency contingencies, Coast Guard official Yosuke Oi said.

"I'm afraid we'll soon find out about damages, since the quake was so strong," he said

Major Earthquake Hits Japan 11 Mar 2011

Cars, trucks, houses and buildings have been swept away by a 13ft wave in Onahama city, in Fukushima prefecture, while Tokyo's Disneyland car park has obliterated.

And reports have emerged of a 33ft tsunami seen at port in the country's Sendai city after the 8.9 magnitude quake.

Large aftershocks continue to hit the capital of Tokyo, following a quake so strong it was felt 1,500 miles away in the Chinese capital of Beijing.

Airports in the region have been closed and Tokyo's fire department reported several people were injured when a roof caved in at a graduation ceremony in the city.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii also said a tsunami warning was in effect for Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas.

Meanwhile, a tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Hawaii.

Waves from the quake are expected to hit the coast of Taiwan at around 9.30am GMT.

In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety.
Breaking News

7:32am UK, Friday March 11, 2011
Tsunami Hits Japan After 8.8 Earthquake

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A major tsunami has struck northern Japan after a large earthquake rocked the capital of Tokyo.
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Cars, trucks, houses and buildings have been swept away by a 13ft wave in Onahama city, in Fukushima prefecture, while Tokyo's Disneyland car park has obliterated.

And reports have emerged of a 33ft tsunami seen at port in the country's Sendai city after the 8.9 magnitude quake.

Large aftershocks continue to hit the capital of Tokyo, following a quake so strong it was felt 1,500 miles away in the Chinese capital of Beijing.

Airports in the region have been closed and Tokyo's fire department reported several people were injured when a roof caved in at a graduation ceremony in the city.

Japan tsunami map 0700

map: Japan Meteorlogical Agency

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii also said a tsunami warning was in effect for Russia, Marcus Island and the Northern Marianas.

Meanwhile, a tsunami watch has been issued for Guam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Hawaii.

Waves from the quake are expected to hit the coast of Taiwan at around 9.30am GMT.

In downtown Tokyo, large buildings shook violently and workers poured into the street for safety.

US Geological Survey Spokesman On Quake

TV footage showed a large building on fire and bellowing smoke in the Odaiba district of the city.

Police and coast guard officials said they were assessing possible damage from the quake.

Several quakes had hit the same region in recent days, including a 7.3 magnitude one on Wednesday.