9.0 Magnitude Earth Quake, Tsunami Hits Japan

March 11, 2011

An 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck Japan's northeastern coast around 0546 GMT on Friday March 11, 2011.

Quoting Japan's Prime minister Naoto Kan, "The earthquake has caused major damage in broad areas in northern Japan." "Some of the nuclear power plant in the region have automatically shut down, but there as no leakage of radioactive materials to the environment." "The government will make an all-out effort to ensure the safety of all the people and contain the damage to the minimum."

Authorities in the U.S. territory of Guam said a tsunami could hit the island as early as 7:09 p.m. (4:09 a.m. ET). Sirens sounded in Hawaii around 10 p.m. Thursday (3 a.m. ET), warning residents they could expect tsunami waves five hours later.

The National Weather Service list includes Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and the United States.

For continuous updated information please keep on the watch of current news broadcast via internet and televsion. California is current on Watch as of March 11, 2011.

-Staff Reports