If you check the seismic map, there has been a 7.2 mag earthquake near Honsho, Japan just over an hour ago.
Active map is here.
Google news has reports trickling in about injuries and a tsunami warning, but nothing over the local radio news at the moment.
Good coverage Kate. I think there are a few nuclear power plants in that area aren’t there? Hope they’re all right. This will be a test for their responsiveness. They’re supposed to shut down when an earthquake of this magnitude strikes.
Of course our hopes for minimal damage to families goes without saying.
Bullet trains and airport in the area are stopped for safety checks. Japanese readiness for this type of emergency is vastly superior to ours in Canada no doubt. Japan is the most volatile volcano region, I read somewhere. Lots of experience there.
Refinery damage is not too severe I hope. Just another bit of upward pressure on petrol prices. 73s TG
update (if that’s what it is) at http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1124161485962_2/?hub=World
Saitama and Miyagi got the brunt of the force; so far, 27 reported injured. Here, 200km away, we still all had enough of a scare for to get under our desks!
It’s actually HonshU, which is the name of the main island of Japan. Near Tokyo would give people a better idea of where it occured.
As for the bullet trains (and regular trains, acutally) they stop automatically when there are earthquakes.
Bullet trains and even the regular trains stop automatically during an earthquake? You Japanese guys are the smartest. What a great idea.
Did you hear that Via Rail? Surprise me. Tell me Canadian rail transport stops during an earthquake.
We do get very few quakes I admit, but the safety feature is mainly electronic and very cost effective I’m sure. 73s TG
I live in Calgary. It would take an earthquake to start rail service.