Earthquake in Japan
2011-03-11
A major earthquake on Friday afternoon.A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 8.4 hit northern Japan on Friday afternoon, causing extensive damage in the area, the Meteorological Agency said. Smoke billows from a building in Minato Ward, Tokyo, in a fire that broke out following the earthquake.
The quake struck 20 kilometers deep off the Sanriku coast in Iwate Prefecture at 2:46 p.m. and lasted several minutes, the agency said. Tsunami caused by the quake struck Kamaishi, Miyako and Yamadamachi in the prefecture, washing away houses.