8.9 earthquake in Japan: tsunami warnings

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An 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, triggering tsunami warnings and resulting in significant destruction, including a reported 10-meter wave hitting Sendai. Initial reports indicate at least 200 to 300 bodies were found in the northeastern coastal city, with the death toll expected to rise. The earthquake caused issues at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, prompting evacuations and concerns over cooling system failures, though officials stated there was no radiation leak. The tsunami is projected to affect areas across the Pacific, with warnings issued for the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii. The situation remains critical as aftershocks continue and rescue efforts are underway.
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8.9 earthquake in Japan: tsunami warnings
 
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Sorry you have to go there next week Greg.
Good Luck.
And to all people and PFers in the path of tsunamis on the way to other countries right now.
 

MAP 8.9 2011/03/11 05:46:24 38.322 142.369 24.4 NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_all.php
 
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wow, cars washing up like driftwood. that makes katrina look pretty small.
 
  • #12
does it have anyhting to do iwth the moon's closest approach ?
 
  • #13
Thank God Japan is prepared for events like this.
 
  • #14
Shocking video, a lot of damage. I hope the aftershocks lesson. So grateful for Facebook, my nephew at Atsugi base is ok.
 
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  • #15
I hope that casualties are as minimal as possible.

http://www.weather.gov/ptwc/"

Lots of large aftershocks:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Maps/10/140_40.php [PLAIN]http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Maps/10/140_40.gif
The image above is the current one from USGS, so it will eventually go out of date. Red is the last hour, Blue is the last day and Yellow is the last week.
 
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  • #18
Scary, the worst earthquake in Japanese history, 10 meter tsunami, 40+ killed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4lIFEDFYIw
 
  • #19
Wow, I woke up to this this morning, MSNBC seems to have the most pictures (at the moment) I attached this thumbnail of a 4 story building in the hook of a wave about to be swept... Those poor people...

Rhody... :bugeye:
 
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  • #20
Terrible news. My nephew got transferred to Hawaii when he was commissioned as a warrant officer. I'm not worried for him, since he is normally deployed and at sea, however his wife and daughter are back in Honolulu.
 
  • #21
The most 'powerful' part of the tsunami hits Hawaii in approx 10 min... and southern California in 4 hr from now...
 
  • #22
Waves are predicted to hit the western coast of the United States between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. EST Friday. People near the beach and in low-lying coastal areas of Point Conception in Santa Barbara County were told to move immediately inland to higher ground.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_re_us/us_japan_earthquake_pacific

For those living along the west coast of Canada, US and Mexico and Central and South America, including inlets near the sea - stay away from beaches and low lying areas!
 
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  • #23
http://www.weather.gov/ptwc/"

[PLAIN]http://www.weather.gov/ptwc/images/nglobal_map.jpg
 
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  • #24
This looks quite ugly but I hope there aren't many casualties
 
  • #25
Oh stercore on a cart with... OK I really want to swear right now.

I have a friend on the 'big island' in Hawaii, but worse, I have a friend (had?) in Honshu!

******@*@*@$^*@!+
 
  • #26
Police said 200 to 300 bodies were found in the northeastern coastal city of Sendai. Another 88 were confirmed killed and at least 349 were missing. The death toll was likely to continue climbing given the scale of the disaster.

. . . .
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110311/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_earthquake

They certainly weren't prepared!

Along the western Pacifici, people should anticipate a mag 9+ earthquake, which might be rare, but is really inevitable. When events don't happen for one or two generations, people become complacent, and then are surprised when a catastrophic event does occur.

The swarm off Sendai was preceded by a mag 7.2 on March 9. Following the mag 8.9, there was a mag 7.1 and many between mag 6 and 7. There have been three mag 6.5 along the northern edge of the Australia plate. Alot of energy is being released at the moment, but other areas are loading up.

7.2 2011/03/09 02:45:20 38.424 142.836 32.0
8.9 2011/03/11 05:46:23 38.322 142.369 24.4

Any populated area along the Pacific coast is susceptible to such an event based on the proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire (techtonic plate intersections).

The tsunami off the coast of Sendai will move toward Japan's coast and out across the Pacific Ocean. Australia is more or less protected by New Guinea and the Phillipines, and New Zealand partly by the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga.
 
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  • #27
Terrible news. More and more deaths are being discovered.

Nuclear plants are being shut down also.
 
  • #28
dlgoff said:
Terrible news. More and more deaths are being discovered.

Nuclear plants are being shut down also.

Japan ordered thousands of residents near a northeastern nuclear power plant to evacuate on Friday following a massive earthquake that caused a problem in the plant's cooling system.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the Fukushima No. 1 power plant was not leaking radiation.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2011%2F03%2F11%2Finternational%2Fi050530S54.DTL
 
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  • #29
Astronuc said:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110311/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_earthquake

They certainly weren't prepared!

Along the western Pacifici, people should anticipate a mag 9+ earthquake, which might be rare, but is really inevitable. When events don't happen for one or two generations, people become complacent, and then are surprised when a catastrophic event does occur.

The swarm off Sendai was preceded by a mag 7.2 on March 9. Following the mag 8.9, there was a mag 7.1 and many between mag 6 and 7. There have been three mag 6.5 along the northern edge of the Australia plate. Alot of energy is being released at the moment, but other areas are loading up.

7.2 2011/03/09 02:45:20 38.424 142.836 32.0
8.9 2011/03/11 05:46:23 38.322 142.369 24.4

Any populated area along the Pacific coast is susceptible to such an event based on the proximity to the Pacific Ring of Fire (techtonic plate intersections).

The tsunami off the coast of Sendai will move toward Japan's coast and out across the Pacific Ocean. Australia is more or less protected by New Guinea and the Phillipines, and New Zealand partly by the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga.

Thanks for the good info Astronuc... happy info, but good.

@dlgoff: They seem to be concerned about one plant in particular, but... and I think Astronuc is best suited to answer this... would even a serious flood prevent a SCRAM?
 
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  • #31
nismaratwork said:
@dlgoff: They seem to be concerned about one plant in particular, but... and I think Astronuc is best suited to answer this... would even a serious flood prevent a SCRAM?
As far as I know, the units were scrammed as the systems are designed to do so.

One of the units has some problems with its cooling system, which would be the Residual Heat Removal system. The RHR removes decay heat from the core after the plant is shutdown, particularly when the units are depressurized. Even if there is a minor deviation from the expected or anticipated operation, staff will take the precautionary step of alerting the local government of a problem.

Update:
Cabinet official: Efforts to cool a reactor at a nuclear power plant "are not going as planned"

Apparently Units 1 and 2 at Fukushima Daiichi (Fukushima Plant 1) have lost power. They should be powered by Emergency Diesel Generators, which should provide power to cooling pumps. It's possible the EDGs and/or pumps were damaged.

In theory, they should be able to use natural circulation.
 
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  • #32
Astronuc said:
As far as I know, the units were scrammed as the systems are designed to do so.

One of the units has some problems with its cooling system, which would be the Residual Heat Removal system. The RHR removes decay heat from the core after the plant is shutdown, particularly when the units are depressurized. Even if there is a minor deviation from the expected or anticipated operation, staff will take the precautionary step of alerting the local government of a problem.

That certainly makes sense... so the reaction is already dead, but they're concerned about the remote possibility of... what exactly? A rupture in the reactor vessels being contaminated with seawater, and visa versa?

I assumed that pumping a load of neutron toxins, control rods, etc... into a reactor was pretty useful at keeping anything worse than radiological contamination from occurring... maybe a bad assumption.
 
  • #33
nismaratwork said:
That certainly makes sense... so the reaction is already dead, but they're concerned about the remote possibility of... what exactly? A rupture in the reactor vessels being contaminated with seawater, and visa versa?

I assumed that pumping a load of neutron toxins, control rods, etc... into a reactor was pretty useful at keeping anything worse than radiological contamination from occurring... maybe a bad assumption.
They would be concerned about maintaining coolability of the cores according to their mandatory requirements. They should have a plan for "what if".

It appears from this article that Units 1, 2 and 3 were operating, but shutdown because of the quake.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/11/uk-japan-quake-reactor-idUSLNE72A06L20110311

The emergency power system for Units 1 and 2 failed. Hopefully they can restore the system, or use contingency plans.

Without power, the would be concerned about the coolant getting too hot, which means higher than normally allowed, but which still could be within design parameters for emergency situations. However, we prefer not to allow the core to get outside of normal or anticipated conditions.

Basically, they don't want the primary cooling systems to over-pressurize.
 
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  • #34
Astronuc said:
They would be concerned about maintaining coolability of the cores according to their mandatory requirements. They should have a plan for "what if".

It appears from this article that Units 1, 2 and 3 were operating, but shutdown because of the quake.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/11/uk-japan-quake-reactor-idUSLNE72A06L20110311

The emergency power system for Units 1 and 2 failed. Hopefully they can restore the system, or use contingency plans.

Without power, the would be concerned about the coolant getting too hot, which means higher than normally allowed, but which still could be within design parameters for emergency situations. However, we prefer not to allow the core to get outside of normal or anticipated conditions.

Basically, they don't want the primary cooling systems to over-pressurize.

I'm sorry, did you just say, in a very academic and clear way I might add... that they'd be worried about a coolant rupture and subsequent leak? Ouch...

I can see why plan for the worst, hope for the best makes sense in plant engineering.

CNN said:
Fire broke out at a second facility, the Onagawa plant, but crews were able to put that fire out, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Now it seems the IAEA is concerned that one of the reactor vessels may be compromised, but that makes no sense given the reports that there is no radiation leak. I'd assume that kind of thing would be rather obvious from aerial/satellite surveillance?
 
  • #35
For those with loved ones in that area, Google has deployed it http://japan.person-finder.appspot.com/?lang=en" tool.
 
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  • #36
Unbelievable images. Sendai was hit extremely hard.
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2011/03/world/hires.japan.quake/index.html"
 
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  • #37
Reports say 88,000 people are missing, with 200-300 bodies already found.
 
  • #38
nismaratwork said:
I'm sorry, did you just say, in a very academic and clear way I might add... that they'd be worried about a coolant rupture and subsequent leak? Ouch...

I can see why plan for the worst, hope for the best makes sense in plant engineering.
No, I only indicated what the concern would be if the core and primary system heated to the point that the primary system would be over-pressurized. Outside of the primary system, which includes the pressure vessels that contains the core, is the containment building. The containment building is designed to contain the contents of the primary system, and radioactive material, in the even the primary system leaks. However, we prefer not to allow the primary system to be compromised.

Now it seems the IAEA is concerned that one of the reactor vessels may be compromised, but that makes no sense given the reports that there is no radiation leak. I'd assume that kind of thing would be rather obvious from aerial/satellite surveillance?
I have not yet heard any report on the integrity of the pressure vessels of priamry system of any of the units. I would not be obvious from satellite or air.

I am waiting for reliable information.

This map shows the locations of Japanese NPPs.
http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/japan.php

The Fukushima plants 1 and 2 were the closest, but Tokai and Onagwa are also affected. They should have all units shut down.

Fukushima Daiichi (Plant 1) has 6 units, and Fukushima Daini (Plant 2) has 4 units. Tokai has 2 units and Onagawa has 3 units.
 
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  • #39
Evo said:
Reports say 88,000 people are missing, with 200-300 bodies already found.
Just around the Sendai city area:
Police said 200 to 300 bodies were found in the northeastern coastal city of Sendai, the city in Miyagi prefecture, or state, closest to the epicenter. Another 137 were confirmed killed, with 531 people missing. Police also said 627 people were injured.

. . . .
Many coastal villages and towns were inundated by flooding. Thousands might have drowned, and
A large section of Kesennuma, a town of 70,000 people in Miyagi, burned furiously into the night with no apparent hope of being extinguished, public broadcaster NHK said.
Clearly, it is very bad and the death toll could be quite high. :frown:
 
  • #40
An 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northeast Japan spawned a ferocious tsunami that's caused massive destruction; flattening whole cities, starting raging fires, and killing hundreds. Nearly 88,000 people are reported missing, according to the official Kyodo news agency.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_theenvoy/20110311/ts_yblog_theenvoy/watch-raw-footage-of-the-japan-earthquake-and-tsunami

I don't know how they are making such a calculation.

http://onespot.wsj.com/small-business/2011/03/11/36a08/report-88000-people-are-missing-in-japan

According to the Kyodo News Agency, via BBC, the official missing persons tally is around 88,000.
Let's hope it's nowhere that high.
 
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  • #41
That's probably an estimate based on the population of towns and villages along the affected coastline.

Tohoku Region (most affected) - http://gojapan.about.com/cs/japanmaps/l/blprefecturemap.htm
2. Aomori
4. Iwate
6. Miyagi
7. Fukushima
 
  • #42
I wonder if the wave will reach north america.
 
  • #43
Lancelot59 said:
I wonder if the wave will reach north america.
Waves have already passed Hawaii, and they will hit coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and points south. Some of the energy will dissipate across the ocean.

http://ptwc.weather.gov/

We're still waiting for reliable reports on the situation at Fukushima Daiichi, Units 1 & 2.

Meanwhile - http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/RS_Massive_earthquake_hits_Japan_1103111.html

Later, Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) reported that emergency diesel generators started as expected at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, but then stopped after one hour, leaving units 1, 2 and 3 with no power for important cooling functions. This led the company to notify the government of an 'emergency' situation, which allows local authorities to take additional precautionary measures. An evacuation has been ordered of over 1000 people living within three kilometres, while engineers worked to restore power.

Almost nine hours later, an announcement from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said that three of four mobile power supplies had arrived at Fukushima Daiichi and cables were being set up to supply emergency power. Other power modules were in transit by air.

. . . .
It sounds like they are dealing appropriately with the situation, but one can be sure that there will an investigation as why the EDGs stopped after one hour. The site must have an independent on-site power supply in case of loss of off-site power.

http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/2011/tsunamiupdate.html
 
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  • #44
Lancelot59 said:
I wonder if the wave will reach north america.

Yes, there are reports coming in now. Nothing like what hit Japan, though.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/03/11/1579884/some-calif-beaches-closed-due.html
 
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  • #45
GOd be with he japanese people
 
  • #46
Astronuc said:
No, I only indicated what the concern would be if the core and primary system heated to the point that the primary system would be over-pressurized. Outside of the primary system, which includes the pressure vessels that contains the core, is the containment building. The containment building is designed to contain the contents of the primary system, and radioactive material, in the even the primary system leaks. However, we prefer not to allow the primary system to be compromised.

I have not yet heard any report on the integrity of the pressure vessels of priamry system of any of the units. I would not be obvious from satellite or air.

I am waiting for reliable information.

This map shows the locations of Japanese NPPs.
http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/japan.php

The Fukushima plants 1 and 2 were the closest, but Tokai and Onagwa are also affected. They should have all units shut down.

Fukushima Daiichi (Plant 1) has 6 units, and Fukushima Daini (Plant 2) has 4 units. Tokai has 2 units and Onagawa has 3 units.

By all accounts, the fires and damage was largely to the control building, and the reactor vessels are still secure. Given how earthquake-conscious the Japanese are, I'd bet on integrity holding. If you do get reliable info beyond this, would you please post it here if you can?

Thanks for the added information btw.

@Evo: This is horrific... 8.9... that's so much energy being released in such a short time. I saw the images of those wave carrying debris on fire, over farmland... I actually feel a bit choked up.

On one bright side for me at least, my friend was on a trip to Germany, but he no longer has a home.

I'm not the praying type, but... my hopes are certainly for the best possible outcome.
 
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  • #48
My knowledge of seismology is about 0.00000000000000000...00..01

Is this an ongoing and connected phenomenon of multiple quakes including NZ, or is this coincidence? Is this in some way connected or likely to initiate a major event elsewhere on the RoF, such as Cali?
 
  • #49
Astronuc said:
The site must have an independent on-site power supply in case of loss of off-site power.

I don’t know if this is a "rumor", but I heard on BBC that they lost normal power to cool the hot (but shoot down) core, and then tried to start the diesel reserve and that failed too, and now they are running the cooling system on batteries(?)... which will run out sooner or later...?
 
  • #50
nismaratwork said:
This is horrific... 8.9... that's so much energy being released in such a short time.

This is a "monster". I heard that a "box" of the tectonics sized 500 km x 100 km basically JUMPED 10 meters in a very short time!

I’m glad you found your friend... phew...
 

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