8.8 Earthquake Near Japanese Coast 431
radioweather writes "USGS is reporting a 8.8 (was estimated first at 7.9) magnitude earthquake off of the east coast of Honshu, Japan. Details from USGS. Tsunami warning issued. Japan's Meteorological agency is saying 20-foot or higher waves are possible from a Tsunami near Miyagi prefecture."
Re:This is worst than in the movies (Score:4, Interesting)
I can't believe no one has commented on the guy in the car, turning around on the road, and trying to get away! Hope he made it. :(
A piece of forgotten history: (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Not log10, 10^(11.8 + 1.5M) (Score:3, Interesting)
The Richter scale records the amount of energy released and is obviously useful when comparing Mag 4 with Mag 8. But what it doesn't say is how it is released- long and rumbling (4 1/2 mins IIRC for this one) or shorted in a large, powerful, greater displacement.
Had this driven home in Picton, New Zealand when a Mag 4.5 gave myself and my son a headache, like a punch, but only set the lights swinging, loosening dust, in the library where we were sitting.