The 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunamiThe 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami was an 8.9-magnitude earthquake and resultant tsunami waves. It was measured at 7 on the JMA seismic intensity scale in the northern Miyagi prefecture, while the Japan Meteorological Agency's tsunami warning listed the magnitude as 8.4. Reportedly, the epicenter was located off the east coast of Tohoku, Japan on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 05:46:23 UTC at a depth of 24.4 km (15.2 miles). Originally a 7.9 on the Moment magnitude scale, it was upgraded to an 8.8, then again to an 8.9 by the United States Geological Survey making it the largest earthquake to hit Japan in recorded history. The Earthquake The main earthquake was preceded by a number of large foreshocks, beginning with an M7.2 event on 9 March approximately 40 kilometers (25 mi) from the 11 March quake, and followed by another three on the same day in excess of M6 in intensity. The earthquake occurred in the western Pacific Ocean, 130 kilometers (81 mi) east of Sendai, Honshu, Japan. Its epicenter was 373 kilometers (232 mi) from Tokyo, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Multiple aftershocks were reported after the initial M8.8 quake at 14:46 local time. A magnitude 7.0 aftershock was reported at 15:06 local time, M7.4 at 15:15 local time and M7.2 at 15:26 local time. Over forty aftershocks of magnitude 5.0 or greater occurred in the few hours after the initial quake.  Map of the Sendai Earthquake 2011 Initially reported as 7.9 by the USGS, the magnitude was quickly restated as 8.8 and then 8.9. This earthquake occurred in the Japan Trench. A quake of this size usually has a rupture length of at least 480 kilometers (300 mi) and requires a long, relatively straight fault line. Because the plate boundary and subduction zone in this region is not so straight, earthquakes in this region are usually expected to be with magnitudes up to 8 to 8.5, and the magnitude of this earthquake was a surprise to some seismologists. The quake registered a maximum 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale in Kurihara, Miyagi Prefecture. Three other prefectures—Fukushima, Ibaraki and Tochigi—recorded upper 6 on the JMA scale. Seismic stations in Iwate, Gunma, Saitama and Chiba Prefecture measured lower 6, recording upper 5 in Tokyo. A local official at the hardest-hit city of Kurihara in Miyagi Prefecture, in a telephone interview by Agence France-Presse (AFP) said: | “ | We were shaken so strongly for a while that we needed to hold on to something in order not to fall. We couldn't escape the building immediately because the tremors continued... City officials are now outside, collecting information on damage.[17] | ” | An earthquake measured magnitude of 6.7 by JMA occurred at 18:59 UTC, 11 March (03:59, 12 March local time).[18] Its epicenter was in Niigata Prefecture at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 mi). The quake was recorded upper 6 on the JMA intensity scale in Nagano Prefecture and lower 6 in Niigata. The Tsunami
 Tsunami ocean energy distribution forecast map for the 2011 Sendai earthquake from the U.S. NOAA The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for Japan's Pacific coast and at least 20 countries, including the entire Pacific coast of North and South America from Alaska to Chile.[19][20][21][22] The tsunami warning issued by Japan was the most serious on its warning scale, implying that the wave was expected to be 10 meters (33 ft) high. According to Kyodo news agency, a wave that high was observed at 3:55pm JST flooding Sendai Airport, which is located near the coast of Miyagi prefecture, with waves sweeping aside cars and flooding various buildings as they traveled inland. Kyodo news agency has reported a four-meter-(13 ft) high tsunami hitting Iwate Prefecture in Japan. A 0.5-meter (20 in)-high wave hit Japan's northern coast. Reports indicate that the wall of water was higher than some Pacific islands and the danger of tsunami flooding prompted warnings for almost the entire Pacific basin. In a statement to the press, an official from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said: | “ | An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicentre within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours. | ” | The United States West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Conception, California to the Oregon-Washington border. Residents in Seaside and Astoria, Oregon were notified by reverse 911 and sirens in early morning hours to evacuate low-lying areas; public schools were closed for the day. In Crescent City, California, one death was reported from the tsunami, and one person was missing; also noted was significant damage to the local harbor. When the tsunami hit Guam, two U.S. attack submarines were pulled from their moorings but they were soon taken under tow. The tsunami was as much as 1.5-2 m (6–7 ft) high in parts of Hawaii with the surge reaching at least 30 m (100 ft) inland on the south side of the Big Island but no damage was reported. 2011 Sendai earthquake and tsunami death toll [ updates coming soon ] Destruction caused by earthquake and tsunami Based upon data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, it is estimated the town of Kurihara has been completely destroyed
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