Posts Tagged ‘9.0’

Japan Earthquake/Tsunami Update for Sunday, March 13

Sunday, March 13th, 2011

A few more quick updates on the aftermath of the Sendai earthquake/tsunami:

  • Current estimates for the death toll is that it will top 10,000 in Miyagi prefecture (which includes Sendai) alone.
  • The magnitude of the earthquake has been shifted upward to a 9.0.
  • The quake appears to have moved Japan’s coast by about eight feet.
  • It also shifted the position of Earth’s axis about 4-7 inches.
  • Conflicting reports as to whether the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor has melted down, has partially melted down, will meltdown, won’t meltdown.
  • One 60-year old man was found on the roof of his floating house ten miles out to sea.
  • Finally, expressing the lightning-quick reflexes they’ve long been known for, the State Department issued a travel warning for Japan.
  • More dramatic footage of the tsunami coming in. There’s one building that the water goes up against, and then through, and then, in a matter of about 10 seconds since the wave hit, the building is gone.

    Includes some of the above, and a lot more besides, off Japanese TV:

    Before and After aerial footage:

    Helicopter rescue footage:

    The tsunami even caught the Japanese Air Force unaware, which a number of (I think) F-16s picked up and carried into buildings or soaked with mud:

    Interesting video from 2010 explaining Japanese preparation for earthquakes and tsunamis: