-
Japan, friday 2:46
Magnitude 8.9 earthquake 231 miles northeast of Tokyo, Japan at a depth of 15.2 miles. Quake is fifth largest in the world (since 1900) and the largest quake ever to hit Japan. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issues tsunami warning for the Pacific Ocean from Japan to the U.S. west coast. Tsunami alerts sound in more than 50 countries and territories. . Within an hour after the quake a wall of water up to 30 feet high washes over the Japanese coast. Cars, boats and trains are swept away. Build -
japan, friday 7:39
Casualty reports begin to come in. Kyodo News Service reports at least 32 dead. -
japan, friday 8:15
Japanese government declares emergency for nuclear power plant near Sendai, 180 miles from Tokyo. Japan has 54 nuclear power plants. -
japan friday 9;35
4 nuclear power plants closest to the quake are shut down. -
japan friday 10;29
Cooling system at Fukushima nuclear report are reported not working: Authorities say they are "bracing for the worst. Several thousand people living within a mile-and-a-half of the plant are ordered to evacuate.
