Biggest Recorded Quake Hits Japan

Above, the walk to the Zuiganji Temple in Matsushima in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

An 8.8 (early reports said it was an 8.9) earthquake rocked the northeastern Tohoku region Japan today. This is the biggest recorded earthquake in Japan's history.

The city of Sendai, in Miyagi prefecture, was also hit by an enormous tsunami. It has been reported that 300-400 bodies were found in an area of Sendai. Other seacoast towns were badly hit by tsunamis.

Above, Godaido Temple and Matsushima Bay in 2006. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Air Self-Defense Force's Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi was completely submerged by the tsunami.

The quake was also strongly felt in Tokyo, 200 miles from the epicenter. Thousands of workers were stranded in Tokyo as all subways and trains ceased operation following the temblor. The train systems in Japan are designed to shut down during earthquakes.

I am currently checking on friends in Japan to see that they are okay.



Back in April 2006, I visited Sendai and Matsushima, Japan while on vacation. My father was briefly stationed in Sendai in 1951 before heading over to Korea for the Korea War. He sent this picture (above) of himself in front of the Godaido Temple while on duty in Matsushima. I had a similar picture taken of myself 55 years later (below). I have not been able to confirm if Godaido Temple, over 1,000 years old, survived the tsunami.



For more on the earthquake in Japan, go here.

Another blogger is worried about the temples in Matsushima. To see his write-up, go here.

UPDATE: The Tsunami Warning Center has raised the magnitude of the quake to 9.1.