Earthquake in Japan

[Ranald]

What a disaster, the videos of the tsunami sweeping all before it is heartbreaking.

Cars, houses, factories all being engulfed in a sea of debris.

The entire Pacific coastline is now under emergency watch, and there is nothing that can be done by humans, to stop this natural disaster.

Will this quake be the first of others in the Pacific 'ring of fire'.

My thoughts and prayers go out to ALL affected.

Ranald

[Marie]

I had been watching the Tsunami on TV.

TOKYO -- A ferocious tsunami spawned by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded slammed Japan's eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it swept away boats, cars and homes while widespread fires burned out of control.
My Thoughts and Prayers are with them too.
Hours later, the tsunami hit Hawaii and warnings blanketed the Pacific, as far away as South America, Canada, Alaska and the entire U.S. West Coast.

[Alastair]

Gosh.. I didn't know about this Marie until I read your post. Switched on the TV news and WOW. They were just talking about the tsunami heading for the west coast of the US.

Alastair

[Ranald]

I have been watching this since early morning,,,,, horrendous.

Have a look at the following site for pictures..... it is unreal..... but for the folk there VERY Real and a short time ago two aftershocks of 5.1

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...ml?ref=asia#20

Ranald

[Alastair]

Guess we'll get a better idea of the damage when daylight returns to Japan so later today will tell the larger story.

Nature sure is causing havoc around the world what with the earthquake in New Zealand, the terrible floods in Australia and Pakistan, and terrible weather all over the world.

Alastair

[Ranald]

Alastair, insignificant with places you mention, but we has more snow last night, and the Ochills are white yet again !

The forecast for the Central Region, is even more snow over the weekend !

Ranald

[FriedaKateM]

I first heard about this huge quake/tsunami, as I received an email from my oldest grandson, 28, who is a teacher of Japanese kids, teaching English. He said "I'm all right!!!". He said that the 5th graders were having their picture taken, & had their desks all over to one side of the room. Once they felt the tremors, in series, they slowly pulled each of their desks over, & all of them got down under the desks. My grandson is a Purdue U. grad, & has been teaching English in Japan ever since he got out of university. My son, his dad, wants to take me over to Japan, in Jul or Aug. Haven't yet spoken to him since this disaster. I've been looking at all the videos, & frankly, it scares me a lot. My grandson said he's in the most landlocked area of Japan, so did feel the quakes, but didn't see damage. It's good to remember for each of us, to live each day, & don't put off till tomorrow what you want to do today. Joan

[Ranald]

One piece of good news, thank you Joan for the encouragement. We all must look forward.

Ranald

[1938 Observer]

Compared to the various wars/civil distubances around the world there is nothing to compare with the forces of nature and their destructive powers.

[Alastair]

I thought that myself as it happens. I was just reviewing in my mind the terrible disasters in the past 12 months. The earthquake in Christchurch, the floods in Australia, the floods in Pakistan and on it goes.

Alastair