HUGE earthquake and tsunami hit Japan...

[Monster Dave]

Interesting, I've never heard of a "hypocenter".

I'll have to read about that when I have more time! 

[Triple J]

Ya, not many know if it. It's what seismologists and engineers use. The general public only hears about the epicenter.



Anyway, the only silver lining in this is that if anyone is set up to deal with this it is the Japanese. Earthquakes are a way of life for them. Hopefully the destruction doesn't get too out of hand. 

[DanTheMan]

unreal.....pics
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/03/earthquake-in-japan/100022/

[badgalbetty]

my heartfelt condolences to all people affected by this in Japan and around the globe. This is truly a devastating event that we have no control over. I am so sorry for the lives that this has shattered and taken.
My best wishes to the people of Japan.
Erica.

[live2ride]

this is seriously intense.

for those not familiar with the richter scale, each unit of intensity goes up by a factor of 10.  meaning a 8.0 is 10x more powerful than a 7.0. 

this was an 8.9.  haiti was a 7.0  and christchurch was 7.1 if i recall correctly.

we're talking about 80x more powerful to give you a comparison to recent tragedies. 

i know we have some members in japan, i hope everyone is safe

[Statler]

 

[Monster Dave]

this is seriously intense.

for those not familiar with the richter scale, each unit of intensity goes up by a factor of 10.  meaning a 8.0 is 10x more powerful than a 7.0.  

this was an 8.9.  haiti was a 7.0  and christchurch was 7.1 if i recall correctly.

we're talking about 80x more powerful to give you a comparison to recent tragedies.  

i know we have some members in japan, i hope everyone is safe

I think that I heard this was the 5th strongest quake on record....ever.  

What's really worrisome now is that they (Japan) are trouble cooling the Fukushima nuclear reactor (160 miles north of Tokyo) because emergency coolant transfer systems are offline. There's talk of releasing some radiative steam to relieve pressure at the reactor, and have thus started a "precautionary" evacuation of the area immediately around the plant.

This brings to mind the reactor disaster at Three Mile Island back in '79. Scary stuff!! 

[Triple J]

christchurch was 7.1 if i recall correctly.

6.3. Not all that large really, but shallow and the buildings were old.

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2011/usb0001igm/

[slowpoke13]

My ex is there and pregnant. Her hubby i currently underway. She's been scared shitless as she couldn't get a hold of her family until just a lil while ago. Her phone's FB was working. But, she had no power at the house. It was cold and dark everywhere.

No bueno, no bueno at all.

[Monster Dave]

Sorry to hear that. Hope all's ok.

Check this out - see how the waves traveled:

http://gizmodo.com/#!5781040/see-japans-massive-underwater-earthquake-ripple-across-the-world

[il d00d]

This is just horrifying.  Any board members in the areas affected?  You have my thoughts and prayers - I'll be donating as soon as the major NGOs are set up to receive funds, but please tell us how we can help.

[Monster Dave]

Contacting U.S. citizens in Japan:

U.S. citizens in Japan who need help, or people concerned about U.S. citizens there, can email the State Department at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov or call 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.

Donations: American Red Cross -

http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main&s_src=RSG000000000&s_subsrc=RCO_BigRedButton

[ducpainter]

The devastation is incredible.

This is scary...


Japan earthquake factbox: Entire Japan coast shifted 2.4 metres, earth axis moves ten inches

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Japan+earthquake+factbox+Entire+Japan+coast+shifted+metres+earth+axis+moves+inches/4425617/story.html

[DRKWNG]

Japan earthquake factbox: Entire Japan coast shifted 2.4 metres, earth axis moves ten inches

Damn!

[lethe]

The devastation is incredible.

This is scary...


Japan earthquake factbox: Entire Japan coast shifted 2.4 metres, earth axis moves ten inches

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Japan+earthquake+factbox+Entire+Japan+coast+shifted+metres+earth+axis+moves+inches/4425617/story.html

I recall the Indonesian one caused similar movement.
Just think of the energy involved to do that, crazy.