StaffsLive Massive earthquake hits Japan
Satellite image of earthquake Photo: marcbel
By James Hood and Ashley Hodnett: Hundreds of bodies have been found by Japanese police in the north-east city of Sundai.
The earthquake in Japan triggered a 13ft high tsunami which swept boats, cars and buildings miles inland.
The epicentre was 250 miles north-east of Tokyo, in the Pacific ocean.
Most of the Pacific is now on tsunami alert, including Hawaii.
Experts say the 8.9 magnitude earthquake is the largest to hit Japan for decades.
Several large aftershocks measuring up to 6.9 have caused more destruction.
Seismologist Alice Walker, of the British Geological Survey, says more damage could have been done if the epicentre was on land.
She explained: “It’s not the size of the earthquake [that matters], it’s more where the earthquake occured.
“The only problem with this earthquake is; it occured offshore, it was shallow and it was large so it generated a tsunami.
“Many of the deaths that have been reported have been the result of the tsunami.
“The good thing about Japan is that they actually build buildings to withstand earthquakes and many of the buildings have faired very well from the shaking of this earthquake.”
Staffordshire University law student Naoko Adaxchi told StaffsLive her brother lives in Tokyo.
She said: “I spoke to my brother on MSN and he was really scared.
“It [the earthquake] was quite strong.
“He had to walk home but his appartment is fine.”
Have you got any family in Japan?
Have you experienced a tsunami?
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