The 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami was an 8.9-magnitude megathrust earthquake that created tsunami waves of up to 10 metres (33 ft). It was measured at 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale in the northern Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, with an initially-reported magnitude of 7.9, while the JMA’s tsunami warning listed the magnitude as 8.4, later updated to 8.8.
News reports by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) indicate that at least 300 people have died and another 530 are missing in six different prefectures, although it is feared the total number of dead could be far higher. The magnitude of 8.9 made it the largest earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history and the seventh largest in the world since records began.
The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for Japan’s Pacific coast and at least 20 countries, including the entire Pacific coast of North and South America from Alaska to Chile. The tsunami warning issued by Japan was the most serious on its warning scale, implying that the wave was expected to be 10 meters (33 ft) high. According to Kyodo news agency, a wave that high was observed flooding Sendai Airport, which is located near the coast of Miyagi prefecture, with waves sweeping aside cars and flooding various buildings as they traveled inland. Kyodo news agency has reported a four-meter-(13 ft) high tsunami hitting Iwate Prefecture in Japan. A 0.5-meter (20 in)-high wave hit Japan’s northern coast Reports indicate that the wall of water was higher than some Pacific islands and the danger of tsunami flooding prompted warnings for almost the entire Pacific basin.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the government has mobilized the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in various earthquake disaster zones. He asked the Japanese public to act calmly and tune into various media for updated information.He also reported numerous nuclear power plants have automatically shut down to prevent damage and radiation leaks. PM Kan also setup emergency headquarters in his office to coordinate the government’s response.
Parts of northern Japan were rocked by three strong earthquake
The earthquakes tore up roads and destroyed houses.
Even one of Japan's famous bullet trains was derailed - the first time this has happened.
News reports by Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) indicate that at least 300 people have died and another 530 are missing in six different prefectures, although it is feared the total number of dead could be far higher. The magnitude of 8.9 made it the largest earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history and the seventh largest in the world since records began.
More than 20 people are known to have died, and at least 2,000 were injured.
The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for Japan’s Pacific coast and at least 20 countries, including the entire Pacific coast of North and South America from Alaska to Chile. The tsunami warning issued by Japan was the most serious on its warning scale, implying that the wave was expected to be 10 meters (33 ft) high. According to Kyodo news agency, a wave that high was observed flooding Sendai Airport, which is located near the coast of Miyagi prefecture, with waves sweeping aside cars and flooding various buildings as they traveled inland. Kyodo news agency has reported a four-meter-(13 ft) high tsunami hitting Iwate Prefecture in Japan. A 0.5-meter (20 in)-high wave hit Japan’s northern coast Reports indicate that the wall of water was higher than some Pacific islands and the danger of tsunami flooding prompted warnings for almost the entire Pacific basin.
Map of the Sendai Earthquake 2011
Prime Minister Naoto Kan announced the government has mobilized the Japanese Self-Defense Forces in various earthquake disaster zones. He asked the Japanese public to act calmly and tune into various media for updated information.He also reported numerous nuclear power plants have automatically shut down to prevent damage and radiation leaks. PM Kan also setup emergency headquarters in his office to coordinate the government’s response.
Photo Of A Real Tsunami Wave
