8.9 Magnitude Earthquake, Tsunami hits Japan.

It was definitely a monster of an earthquake. So sad that so many lives were lost or otherwise affected. What makes this earthquake even more significant is the lesson it taught regarding handling nuclear power. Hope nothing like this happens again any time soon.

One of the biggest stories of the year, no doubt. First and foremost, we have environmental issues, specifically with the Fukushima Daiishi Nuclear Plant, which had been near meltdown mode for a period of time this year. It should be noted that Japan's network of nuclear plants, including Fukushima is decidedly outdated. In the case of Fukushima, the backup cooling generator was disabled by the tidal wave and other remedial measures failed to stem the problem. The motor which powers the plant itself dates from the early 1970's--ancient history especially considering the advances in nuclear power production, with high temperature engines and pebble bed reactor designs leading the way. But the cleanup has only begun, and it is very obvious that plenty of nuclear material has been released into the atmosphere, although officials haven't been very forthcoming in terms of how much. Then we have the economic problems that have been caused by the earthquake, which has effectively froz... Read more

It was a nine and it was significant because Japan is frequently hitby Earthquakes but this one was a monster so it wasn't just another Japanese quake, That and the near meltdown of the nuclear reactors that brought about another nuclear power safety debate.

Bad news. Terrible loss of lives. Lots of luck containing the contamination from the Nuke plant.

Very. very large impact on future events and actions both in planning and implementation. Scientists have evidence of even more powerful earthquakes that have previously happened, but the experience of them is either in remote places or in ages past. We shall have to take them into account.

Today's weather report from Tokyo: 5000 degrees and bright...

I think its valuable that we get at least an annual reminder that for all things we create be they for good or ill, terrific or horrific, our powers are dwarfed by that of nature. Currrently a half a block from my back door a river is rising that will preoccupy all of us locals for the next month. And there isn't much we can do about it except make sure we are on high ground.

What happened in Japan was shocking. Not only did they have an earthquake to contend with, but also the ramifications in the form of a Tsunami. What I found particularly shocking was in comparison to Pakistan aid and any other help the Japanese needed was swiftly covered within days.

tragic and heartbreaking. no one should go trough this. now Japan just had another bad earthquake today. my heart goes out to them. and hope no more deaths have occured.

Global and local ramifications. Two natural disasters. Invokes questions of nuclear power. Made Americans actually look at news that didn't involve Americans for ten whole minutes. Five big ones. . .

One of the most curious things I heard when this first happened was that "Japan was considering accepting help from countries other than the U.S." Wow, that's pride.

A major city hit by earthquake and tsunami. Little or no looting. Compare that to New Orleans after Katrinia. Ummmmm I wonder?

Bad already and could get even worse if these reactors lose it.

Given the scale of the earthquake, the resultant tsunami, and the subsequent ongoing nuclear reactor problems, which threaten to take an already tragic disaster well into the catastrophic scale, this is easily the story of the year so far. The fact that it happened to a highly developed country which is very conscious of earthquakes and is regarded as among the most prepared in the world for geological disasters, yet is proving to be stretched to, and perhaps beyond its limits to cope gives considerable pause to thoughts about what happens if such a quake struck just off the west coast of North America.