An 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit 373 kilometers off the coast of Northern Japan at 2:46pm today. Quake triggered a 13 ft. 
tsunami, sweeping massive amounts of debri inland. As of 5:50am EST 32 are dead in Japan.
This quake was the fifth largest earthquake ever recorded. The strongest ever in Japan. Quake has been followed so far by 19 aftershocks, all at least a 6.0 magnitude.
Authorities in 20 countries haves issued a tsunami watch, including Hawaii and the entire west coast of North America, including Washington, Oregon, California and Mexico. Residents who live in coastal areas of these states should be alert and prepared to evacuate. For Alaska the watch has been downgraded to a warning.
The USGS has instructed residents of all coastal areas on the west coast of the United States to stay out of the ocean and away from the beaches. Residents of Hawaii are urged to seek higher ground for the entire duration tsunami, which will come in several waves.
Officials in the Philippines, where the tsunami is expected to hit first, have ordered evacuation of 19 coastal provinces.
This quake was the latest in a systemically active week in the region. Wednesday a 7.2 quake struck off the course of Honshu followed by a 6.3 quake Thursday in roughly the same area.
According to Japanese authorities, as of 6:00am EST, Japan’s nuclear power plants remain undamaged.
UPDATE 10:00am EST:
Death toll has been raised to between 200-300 bodies in and around Sendai, the epicenter of the quake.
Japanese authorities have ordered the precautionary evacuation of residents who live around the nuclear plant effected by the quake as technicians are having trouble cooling the reactor. Despite this the U.N. nuclear oversight agency has said that all plants have shut successfully shut down.
Thousands remain stranded in cities, especially Tokyo, as all trains have shut down. Tokyo has remained largely unscathed.
30 aftershocks have followed since the main quake, the strongest measuring 7.1.
Japan has reached out to the U.S. for assistance. The U.S. Navy is already positioning ships in the area to be of assistance to the Japanese people.
There are no reports of mass panic or lawlessness in the wake of the disaster. Way to be Japan.
UPDATE 2:30pm EST:
There has been no official update about the death toll. But the tsunami is probably responsible for more deaths and injuries than the quake itself. There are reportedly more than 500 injured and over 351 missing. Rescue workers are currently searching for 80 dock workers that were swept out sea.
An oil refinery that exploded continues to burn in Fukushima Prefecture. Also in Fukushima Prefecture, a small leak could occur in a nuclear plant and a dam failed and washed away about 1,800 homes.
U.S. Air Craft Carrier group Ronald Reagan is moving into position to provide aid and help with reconnaissance missions that are already underway to help the Japanese government map the disaster zone. The U.S. has also sent two search and rescue teams from the Agency on International Development to provide aid. Link
A nuclear emergency has been issued for the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant as it is not currently cooling. The US is flying in additional coolant. News.com CNN.
“A second nuclear power plant may be overheating.” CNN
California counties Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo and Santa Cruz are under a state of emergency. CNN Damage was reportedin Santa Cruz county earlier today. NBC Bay Area
“ Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa ordered the evacuation of the Galapagos Islands and of cities along the country’s coast Friday.” CNN
Update March 12:
From Kyodo News:
“Four people have been injured in an explosion that occurred at the No. 1 reactor of the quake-hit Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, the operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Saturday.
The explosion was heard at 3:36 p.m. following large tremors and white smoke was seen at the facility in Fukushima Prefecture, the company said.
The four workers were working to deal with problems caused by a powerful earthquake that hit northeastern Japan on Friday.”
Update Saturday 1:30 PM EST
CNN is reporting that 900 people have been confirmed dead thus far, but that the number is expected to rise into the thousands. Over 9500 hundred people are unaccounted for in the town of Minamisanriku alone. Rescuers have pulled more that 3000 from the rubble since the quake.
The New York Times is reporting that evacuations continue in the communities affected by radiation releases from two malfunctioning nuclear power plants. In a chilling development, officials are distributing iodine (which is used to minimize thyroid damage in the event of radiation exposure) to people in the surrounding areas. The management of the evacuation is also severely overtaxing resources already needed for search and rescue efforts.
Source and Photo Credit: NPR
