Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Japan

[lovuian]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10516328&ref=rss

TOKYO - A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked northern Japan early Saturday, swaying buildings and forcing authorities to close highways and stop high-speed trains. News reports said some people were cut by broken glass.

Authorities said two nuclear power plants in the area were not damaged and continued to operate normally, national broadcaster NHK reported. There was no danger of tsunami.

The 8:43 a.m. (2343 GMT Friday) quake was centered in the northern prefecture of Iwate about 280 miles (450 kilometers) north of Tokyo, and was located about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) underground.

The meteorological agency issued a warning of a second quake, and a 5.6-magnitude aftershock hit the same area, but it was unclear whether the warning preceded the aftershock. Japan is experimenting with an earthquake warning system.

Footage from the closest large city, Sendai, showed the force of the quake shook surveillance cameras for 30 seconds. NHK interviewed an official from Miyagi prefecture, where Sendai is located, who said he saw tiles coming off the roofs of some homes.



"It was scary. It was difficult to stand up," said Sachiko Sugihara, a convenience store worker in the town of Oshushi in Iwate prefecture in a separate interview with NHK. "The TV fell over and the refrigerator shook."
more....

Nuclear power plants in a earthquake zone not smart

[anonymous171]

1. Nuclear Power Plants > Coal Plants. nt

[silverojo]

3. Coal plants don't contain materials that can cause mutation. n/t

[Bobbieo]

2. 7.0 - That's a "biggy" Ours are like 4.5 and they are scary

[Rex]

4. Wow a 7. I hope everyone is okay.