Japan Rattled by 7.0 Aftershock on Tsunami Anniversary
- Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:47am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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SENDAI, Japan (AP) — A strong new earthquake rattled Japan’s northeast Monday just hours after people bowed their heads and wept in ceremonies to mark a month since the tsunami that killed up to 25,000 people and set off a still-unfolding nuclear crisis.
The quake, the second major aftershock in less than a week, was another jarring reminder of the magnitude-9.0 earthquake that spawned the massive wave March 11. People in a large electronics store in Sendai screamed and ran outside and mothers grabbed their children, but there were no immediate reports of more damage or injuries.
Officials said operations were not endangered at the tsunami-flooded Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex, where power was cut by the aftershock but quickly restored. Japan’s meteorological agency measured the aftershock at a magnitude of 7.0, but a U.S. monitor said it was 6.6. The epicenter of was just inland and about 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Tokyo.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi plant is still leaking radiation after its cooling systems were knocked out by tsunami, and the government on Monday urged people in five additional communities near the plant to leave within a month, citing concerns about long-term health risks from radiation. People who lived within a 12-mile (20-kilometer) radius around the plant already have been evacuated.
With workers still far from bringing the plant under control, the bodies of thousands of tsunami victims yet to be found and more than 150,000 people living in shelters, there was little time for reflection on Japan’s worst disaster since World War II.
People in hard-hit towns gathered for ceremonies at 2:46 p.m., the exact moment of the massive quake a month earlier.
“My chest has been ripped open by the suffering and pain that this disaster has caused the people of our prefecture,” said Yuhei Sato, the governor of Fukushima, which saw its coastal areas devastated by the tsunami and is home to the damaged plant at the center of the nuclear crisis. “I have no words to express my sorrow.”
In a devastated coastal neighborhood in the city of Natori, three dozen firemen and soldiers removed their hats and helmets and joined hands atop a small hill that has become a memorial for the dead. Earlier, four monks in pointed hats rang a prayer bell there as they chanted for those killed.
The noisy clatter of construction equipment ceased briefly as crane operators stood outside their vehicles and bowed their heads.
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DocStrangelove
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:38pmIf “god” was watching over Japan.. this NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED.
Report Post »Drum Man
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 12:43pmPray for Japan. They need us.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 11:05amGod – or is it the earth that God made – is tossing and tumbling along the fault lines. Is God mad at them – or is this just a natural occurrence. Will God be “mad” at California when that fault line splits – or are the people of CA just stupidly sitting around waiting for it to happen.
Report Post »EP46
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:16amI have contacted my Senator (again) asking why there is no support coming out of D.C. for the people of Japan. Yes, we have some military personnel, we have sent others and supplies, but why are we not hearing from anyone in D.C. about what is happening to these people? Why are they not asking for donations to Red Cross or others? Why are they not talking about the HEROES who are in the nuclear plants trying to save their country and their people? Why have we not had American officials standing beside the Japanese President representing the support of the American people ? Why is Japan being ignored?
Report Post »I am still counting down the days (A MONTH ago today) waiting for flotus to make a public announcement spot asking for help for the people of Japan. She and potus made a statement of condolence the day of the quake and that is all I have heard from the White House. Of course, Japan is not Hatti.
Gonzo
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:24amThe Japanese people are the wrong color and religion to qualify for aid under Obama’s strict guidelines. Now if there were some muslim rebels in Japan that needed aid, well then, that’s another story.
Report Post »DocStrangelove
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 3:37pmGONZO….
Are you PROUD to be parading your ignorance around for all to see?
Report Post »ramburner
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:46amWe, in America have all but forgotten 9/11. I guess God does not want people in Japan to forget Him! Perhaps God is also saying to the world, I AM still alive and I am a force to be understood. Though some may argue that God is not in this incident. Christians know He has everything under His control. Not to worry us, but to comfort us. Those who need to worry are those who refuse to accept Him. To that God is telling everyone; its time to wake up the time is getting closer! May God bless Japan and its people.
Report Post »Obeckian1984
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:11amagenda 21 ?
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:14amStill praying very hard for them and I know GOD is with them and will see them thru this.
Report Post »pscully17
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 6:56amNo surprise… its in a very active zone. unless there is major global impacts or destruction, do we need to report every earhtquake? its a non story.
Report Post »GBMBulletsSKNRD
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 7:09amWill ya give these people a break already. Have they not sufferd enough. God show some mercy PLEASE.
Report Post »Obeckian1984
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:11amRadiation found in drinking water US cities
Report Post »http://blogs.forbes.com/jeffmcmahon/2011/04/09/radiation-detected-in-drinking-water-in-13-more-us-cities-cesium-137-in-vermont-milk/
MR_ANDERSON
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 8:56amPSCULLY17, this isn’t just another earthquake, it is greater than 7.0. There are earthquakes every few hours since the 9.1 hit, many in the 6+ range, but not every quake is being reported. Just the ones that would be reported if they were a stand alone event are still being reported.
Have any of you thought about whether or not maybe these are signs for the Japanese people to turn to God. I am not casting judgement, but offering another method of thought. The Japanese are a wonderful people, and I love living here in Japan, but the majority of them do not believe in the same God that Christians, Jews, and Muslims do. Either way, I’m saying more prayers tonight.
Report Post »Affirmative Blaction
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 9:11amSeriously, what is going on in the plates over there? What is there a HARP device to trigger these things? Not that I really ybelieve in that, but mabey scientist could figure out this one, instead of ohhh say, global warming.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on April 11, 2011 at 2:01pmhmmm..time to get the hell off the island…
Report Post »