Massive earthquake hits Japan
A massive 8.9-magnitude quake hit northeast Japan on Friday, of MAR 11, 2011 causing dozens of deaths, more than 80 fires, and a 10-meter (33-ft) tsunami along parts of the country's coastline. Homes were swept away and damage is extensive.
Seismologist Bernd Weber of Germany's Geoscientific Research Institute GFZ in Potsdam poses for the media as he points on a graph with the magnitude of the earthquake in Japan on a monitor in Potsdam, March 11, 2011.
Buildings burn after an earthquake near Sendai Airport, People take shelter as a ceiling collapses in a bookstore during an earthquake in Sendai, Houses are swept by a tsunami in Natori City in northeastern, Houses are swept by a tsunami in Natori City. Houses, cars and other debris are washed away by a tsunami in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan.
The oncoming tsunami strikes the coast in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, March 11, 2011. The biggest earthquake to hit Japan in 140 years struck the northeast coast on Friday, triggering a 10-meter tsunami that swept away everything in its path, including houses, cars and farm buildings on fire.
Cars and airplanes swept by a tsunami are pictured among debris at Sendai Airport, northeastern Japan March 11, 2011. There were several strong aftershocks and a warning of a 10-meter tsunami following the quake, which also caused buildings to shake violently in the capital Tokyo. Houses are in flame while the Natori river is flooded over the surrounding area by tsunami tidal waves in Natori city, Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan, March 11, 2011, after strong earthquakes hit the area.
