Japan: The seventh biggest earthquake of all times and the biggest in Japan hit near the east coast of Honshu, Japan, The Age reported. The quake’s epicentre was 373 kilometres (231 miles) away from Tokyo. According to United States Geological Survey (USGS), the magnitude of the earthquake was 8.9 while Japan’s meteorological agency (JMC) measured it at 8.8. Japan declared the nuclear emergency because of a leak of radioactive material following a failure in the cooling system (due to earthquake) at the reactor on the country’s east coast.
At least 32 people have died following 19 aftershocks and tsunami waves measuring up to 10 metres in height. And, Reuters have reported that a ship carrying more than 100 people was swept away by the tsunami.
The latest update about the earthquake is available at JMA. It is pertinent to mention here that earthquakes are common in Japan, one of the world’s most seismically active areas. The country accounts for about 20 percent of the world’s earthquakes of magnitude 6 or greater.