8.9 Magnitude Quake Estimated; Tsunami Warning for Hawaii
We unfortunately have to cut the humor on Friday to bring you this bulletin, a major bulletin and a major world event. A serious earthquake and subsequent tsunami has struck Japan’s north and northeast region. The earthquake was felt in the country’s major metropolitan regions, where buildings swayed, even in Tokyo. It’s not clear right now if there is major damage in the metro areas, but there are injuries reported in Tokyo, and widespread fires have been triggered. Public rail transportation in Tokyo has ceased.
There are some conflicting reports as to the magnitude, but the U.S. Geological Survey has estimated an 8.9 magnitude earthquake–more powerful than the recent New Zealand earthquake, as well as quakes that struck in recent years in Haiti and Chile.
Shortly after the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued, and waves struck Japan’s northern region. The images are not pleasant; entire rural regions are under feet of water. Early warnings are that waves as high as 33 feet struck in Sendai, just 225 miles north of Tokyo, according to the BBC.
You are likely aware we have a Japan based reporter, Danny Russell. We have just touched base with him, and we are happy and lucky to report he is safe and all right. We can only hope the same will hold true for those closer to the path of destruction. If you’ve seen any of the pictures coming out of Japan’s north, you can understand why we were very worried about him and others.
If you have a friend or relative in Japan, you can watch what’s happening on this link, active as of this article’s publication, and also follow along via NHK World. If there is damage in Tokyo, that certainly could impact or disrupt operations at Sega Sammy Holdings and many other gaming companies, but we don’t want to speculate what is and isn’t happening on that front right now. In the next few hours things should become clearer, and we will update when needed.
We should also note that as of this article’s publication there is a Tsunami Warning for Hawaii, with a possible 30 foot wave heading that way. So, if you are reading this from Hawaii–or anywhere in the Pacific region, for that matter–you need to seek shelter now. Those reading directly on the US west coast, like coastal California, Washington, and Oregon ought to pay attention as well.
Loading ...
Well crap, I live in Pearl Harbor…. CRAP.
It’s rather tragic to be hearing about this, but a very commendable job on this article Tristan.
That sounds terrible. I hope that everything is going to be alright, though.
I know, I saw this on the BBC News channel this morning. There is no other story on there at the moment, they are only covering the quake. It’s terrible, I’ve seen the huge waves of water and sludge carrying cars, boats and other debris. I estimate the wave of sludge (on land) was moving at around 90MPH. Feel very sorry for Japan right now.
On a gamer’s note, there are loads of gaming companies in Japan, based in Tokyo. Sega, Nintendo and loads of others, I bet, are having to evacuate and stop their game/hardware-making/work. This might affect the 3DS launch (if the consoles already haven’t been shipped) or the progress of Sonic 2011…
But really, I feel really sorry for Japan on the whole right now, not just the gaming companies. And even the whole Pacific basin has been severely warned…
well people… 2012 signs are beginning
21/12/2012 Is a Joke nothing will happen because no body knows the Doomsday will happen when.
Scientists have proven 2012 DOES exist… just not the “end of the world” part.
Whenever a date is predicted, you’ll know you’re safe.
Chuck Norris decided he’d punch himself in the face on 12-21-12.
ANYWAYS
Chaos just attacked Japan.
That’s awful. My prayers go out to people in the area. I hope they can get the damage under control as painlessly as possible. Glad to hear your reporter’s safe.
Thanks for posting this Tristan, this is terrible news… I’ll be praying for these people.
Though I don’t think England is that great, I think we’re pretty lucky that we never get earthquakes or stuff like that. Good to know that Sega are safe at the moment.
Thank god Japan was well prepared for this, and my prayers go to the families that have lost loved ones in this disaster. I wonder if lizuka-san will cancel his PR tour here so he can head back home and check on his family and everything. I don’t the upcoming announcements though.
@ blueblur: that 2012 bullshit has already been proven wrong. Do some research before you post something like that. Earth is going through an earthquake cycle that happens every few mililenia or so. To make matters worse, japan is situated in the middle of the ring of fire.
*this will effect*
Tristan, don’t forget about the Sonic 4 Contest Winners! They’re in Japan, too. I heard they were alright, but I’m just reminding you about that.
@Indigo Rush
Wait, what? Really? I thought they were supposed to go last year!
And Iizuka is in the USA right now??
@Andre: Hot hell. Is this the final proof of evidence that Iizuka is a demon and should be slain?
Indigo: We’ve gotten word Aaron and company are fine. We’ll have an update later today.
Iizuka: “*pant* *pant* I’ve gotten out in time……”
@Andre
Yeah Iizuka is still in the US right now. But damn that guy’s got the devil’s luck on his side.
@Greg
It’s compelling evidence, to say the least. His demon fangs are starting to make a lot of sense. Someone should at least try exorcizing him, to see if he explodes.
Are you saying Takashi is aware!?
Oye sad day indeed. I am a bit worried of things yet to come. I hope things settle a bit..but it’s good to hear that Webber and Russell and others are doin okay.
wow its bad i hate this i wish satan does not exsit then everything will be fine. also i realy want to go to japan to visit so i can learn to speak japanese i wish some one can teach me. i pray to love and memories of people who died.
That’s fine and dandy, but he flee to San Francisco, which was under tsunami watch.
I guess it’s better than death by fire and falling ceiling pieces.
I’ve just noticed that Tristan forgot to end his comment with the “-T” like he usually does. Just felt like pointing that out.
Japan? ARE GAMES!!! WHAT’S GONNA HAPPEN???
and I am so sorry. The teacher told us in school today.
Tristan, did you hear that people are trying to get a nucular plant to not explode (it would only affect the city not the Country or World. I thought it would and I freaked out.)
AND if you look what’s going on now…
“A portion of Japan’s nuclear reactors have been shut down in the wake of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami, but officials are worried about the Fukushima plant, where the emergency cooling system is problematic.”
I live in Alaska. Should I do something?
I’m still worried for them.
@ Phillip: I wish Satan didn’t exist either.. But Jesus has overcome him, and even though things look bad, God’s in control here. We should just pray and do everything we can for these people.
D: i love japan. im really depressed now. my mom’s almost crying cuz she always get emotional when stuff like this happens but she feels even more bad cuz she knos how much i love that country and how badly i wanna go there
*Waits worrying in Alaska*
@phillip
..its not satan… far from his doing. the only real influence he has is on ppls minds!… dont be afraid to say this is god’s doing. there is a reson behind every thing he does. even if tragedy goes along with it. its sad yes… but every one needs to have high hopes! something good is gonna come out of this!. its starting right now, cuz every one knows the strongest outcomes of horibal disasters= bonding and comming, together etc. its lyk most of the world oomes together. and if not the world the whooole country satan can’t make that happen
lol but the Iizuka jokes are funny… well only if you guys ARE jokein ;p.
(EDIT – Inappropriate -T)
@blueblur not necessarily 2012, but signs of the Rapture. The bible says,”Signs of the end will be, earthquakes in diverse places, etc.” I’m a christian, so IDK what you believe.
Thank you God for not putting major earthquakes in America for as sinful as we are.
Yeah, Jesus is returning soon. We dunno when (could be now, could be years and years from now), which is actually good. It keeps us striving to know Him better.
Back on topic. I hear that Hawaii didn’t get hit very badly? That’s good.
Nothing major happened in Hawaii. Most we got was like 3 ft waves, which wasn’t enough to go pass the beach.
@Chrissy
Of course God had a purpose for doing this: Japan, in my eyes, is the sacred ground of video games. By causing a tsunami to head there, he is punishing us sinful gamers, for wasting time on video games rather than feeding the poor!… or something along those lines.
Those poor Japanese and Hawaians. Lucky for me, I live in Massachusetts. Nice, safe, Massachusetts.
Oh enough with that 2012 OMG END OF TEH WORLD bullcrap. I highly doubt the world will end in one year. But, getting back to the article, my sincerest condolences go out to those affected by the tsunami.
Some of the major signs of judgement day:
1-the blowing of Trumpet and the minor signs will precede them.
2-the Sun will rise from the West instead of the East.
3-the Earth will experience such big an earthquake that will cause mountains to crush down, the Earth’s inner body will broke out and the Earth would be stretched out.
4-Earthquake from the East, The West, and one in the Arabian Peninsula
Some of the minor signs:
1-Earthquakes will increase
2-Women will outnumber men……eventually.
3-Gains will be shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor.
4-When people begin to compete with others in the construction of taller buildings
5-The Euphrates will disclose a treasure (Muhammad said that whoever is present should not take anything from it)
6-Men will begin to look like women and women will begin to look like men
(the full list is in wikipedia)
Sorry didnt mention this is in Islam