Earthquake in Japan

[Saldrin]

8.8.. ouch!

[classylady]

My son and daughter-in-law are vacationing in Kauai. They're on a tsunami alert. They were in Hawaii last year too, when there was the tsunami warning. They said they feel like they're experiencing de-ja-vu.

[lizrenowden]

item on bbc

BBC News - Tsunami hits north-eastern Japan after massive quake

terrifying

Thoughts and prayers are with those caught up in it.

[pam]

[NeuroTypical]

Not a good day for Japan. Good day to pray for them.

Anyone hearing anything about tsunamis hitting other countries?

[Jenamarie]

The video footage of the waves is chilling. A seemingly slow-moving wall of debris knocking over houses and flipping cars end over end, swallowing entire farm fields in just a few seconds... Terrifying.

The deathtoll is already into the hundreds. I pray it doesn't go into the thousands like the tsunami in 2004 did.

[pam]

Not a good day for Japan. Good day to pray for them.

Anyone hearing anything about tsunamis hitting other countries?

Hawaii is starting to feel the first effects of it. Not too bad yet though I guess Kauai is reporting 6-8 foot waves. But haven't heard of any damage yet.

[carlimac]

Praying for the missionaries in Japan. And for their families who may not have heard if they're safe. As the mom of a missionary my heart goes out to them!

[MarginOfError]

The video footage of the waves is chilling. A seemingly slow-moving wall of debris knocking over houses and flipping cars end over end, swallowing entire farm fields in just a few seconds... Terrifying.

The deathtoll is already into the hundreds. I pray it doesn't go into the thousands like the tsunami in 2004 did.

I don't mean to downplay the tragedy here, but I would be very surprised if the death toll in Japan climbed into the thousands. A lot of the deaths in any natural disaster don't occur until after the disaster is finished, usually due to a lack of supplies, access to medical care, etc. If I remember correctly, the 2004 tsunami wiped out an area with poor infrastructure, making it difficult for relief supplies and help to be distributed. Japan's infrastructure should allow the ability to minimize this effect.

But 8.9! I heard on the radio that it's the largest recorded quake in Japan's history.

[pam]

Well Japanese media are reporting hundreds dead and hundreds missing. Hundreds add up very quickly to thousands. They are citing local and national police. We shall see.

[MarginOfError]

Things like this amaze me. On the right side, total carnage. On the left, it's like nothing happened.

Edited March 12, 2011 by beefche
fixed photo size

[prophetofdoom]

Natural disasters seem to be increasing in magnitude and frequency. In the last few years.. Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami, Haiti, Argentina, etc.

[carlimac]

I don't mean to downplay the tragedy here, but I would be very surprised if the death toll in Japan climbed into the thousands. A lot of the deaths in any natural disaster don't occur until after the disaster is finished, usually due to a lack of supplies, access to medical care, etc. If I remember correctly, the 2004 tsunami wiped out an area with poor infrastructure, making it difficult for relief supplies and help to be distributed. Japan's infrastructure should allow the ability to minimize this effect.

But 8.9! I heard on the radio that it's the largest recorded quake in Japan's history.

It's hard to get the whole realistic scope of things from the media, but there are reports of a whole passenger train missing. Those things are packed with people sometimes. 50 aftershocks, some as high as 7. I feel the same as I did when I watched the twin towers fall. You know people are dying right before your eyes.

[Wingnut]

Church Statement on Missionaries in Japan - LDS Newsroom

[MarginOfError]

Well Japanese media are reporting hundreds dead and hundreds missing. Hundreds add up very quickly to thousands. They are citing local and national police. We shall see.

It's hard to get the whole realistic scope of things from the media, but there are reports of a whole passenger train missing. Those things are packed with people sometimes. 50 aftershocks, some as high as 7. I feel the same as I did when I watched the twin towers fall. You know people are dying right before your eyes.

You guys are right. I hadn't considered that population density might be working against them here.

[ADoyle90815]

Natural disasters seem to be increasing in magnitude and frequency. In the last few years.. Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami, Haiti, Argentina, etc.

I think it's more likely that with our 24 hour news and the internet, we hear about these disasters as they happen, and people were able to be warned about the tsunami.

[Obolus]

CNN reported that "from 200 to 300 bodies have been found in the coastal city of Sendai alone". The death toll is likely to climb past 1000.

[prospectmom]

Our coast Crecent City, California has sustained damage in the harbor. The docks and 38 boats are destroyed. So far we have lost 4 people drug out to sea trying to get pictures.

[prospectmom]

We also heard Brookings Harbor, Oregon and Santa Cruz Harbor, California have sustained significant damage. The Oregon/ California border is closed.

[classylady]

I'm praying that the missionaries that haven't been accounted for yet are safe and unharmed!

[Wingnut]

A few links to share...

Interesting (though very unexciting) video, from during the quake:

I haven't listened to these clips yet, but here's some first-hand accounts: Newsroom Blog: Missionary in Japan Shares Experience With Quake

[Elphaba]

Explosion Rocks Japan Nuclear Plant after Quake

WASHINGTON — Japanese officials said on Saturday there had been an explosion at a nuclear power plant following Friday’s huge earthquake, blowing off the roof of the structure, bringing down walls and causing a radiation leak of unspecified proportions.

This is terrifying to me.

Elphaba

[Wingnut]

I'm praying that the missionaries that haven't been accounted for yet are safe and unharmed!

Granted: Church's Missionaries in Japan All Safe and Accounted For - LDS Newsroom

I personally have a friend whose son is serving in Japan right now. She said this on her Facebook yesterday afternoon:

The good news is that Josh is safe in Japan. The bad news is that he may be delayed coming home because he may need to help with the clean up efforts. So glad he is alright.

I can't think of too many better reasons (nitty-gritty service) for delaying a return home from a mission.

[john doe]

Our ward sent a missionary to the MTC called to Tokyo this week. I don't know if this disaster will affect when or where he will be going in-country.

[Backroads]

I didn't hear about any of it until Friday!

I don't mean this to be funny or trite, but I'm really glad I "stole" hotel soap so I can contribute to services for Japan.