Japan rocked with 8.9 earthquake.

[pomtzu]

One of their nuclear reactors is having problems. The have no power to cool it down and now pressure is building up inside it. The US has offered portable generators to help pump water to it to try and get it cooled down.

Reports coming in are conflicting. One says the situation is under control, and then another says it's not, and saying there could be a leak. Just pray that it doesn't melt down.....

The videos showing on CNN all day are horrific! So much damage ~~~ so many lives lost already. And they don't even have any idea how many are trapped and buried in collapsed buildings, or how many have been washed out to sea.

Those poor people. They need all our prayers, and so much more.

[Karen]

The latest report I have heard says it is still something they are struggling with, trying to cool the reactor down. That they have evacuated 3,000 people, even with the earthquake damage and tsunami damage, means they are taking this very seriously.

Our thought and prayers continue to go out to the people of Japan, as Carol knows, the aftershocks that continue can be just as bad, and psychologically even worse, and the unpredictable waves are just adding to their stress. We hope many people were able to evacuate to higher ground, and that many of the "missing" are someplace safe. Such a tragic day.

But if you hear about the USS Reagan, know we have one person on board at least - that's the ship my nephew is on, he's a nuclear engineer deep in the belly of the ship, but he's there. I heard on the news a couple hours ago that the Reagan, and the two ships accompanying it, should reach japan in 24 hours.

[Cincy'sMom]

We have a small sales office in Japan, and heard from them today that they are all okay and not directly effected. Another friend, I met in Hawaii this winter is teaching in Japan and she is also okay, though nervous about the after schocks they have been dealing with all day. Thoughts and prayers for everyone there and around the world who have been effected by this.

[cassiesmom]

Thoughts and prayers for everyone there and around the world who have been affected by this.

From here too.

I heard people saying at lunch that the two earthquakes were just over two weeks apart. And that one U.S. air craft carrier is already in Japan and at least one more is on its way.

[carole]

we are ok here ,the waves were a bit higher and people were told not to go near the beach, but some never listen, idiots, we are out of danger at least for the tidal wave.

Thank you Gini and Karen, yes NZ is still trying to recover, so we know just how Japan is feeling right now, the devastation here was enormous, but it appears to be even worse for the people of Japan,our hearts go out to each and everyone affected by this,watching it on the telly is just heartbreaking and really frightening.

[RICHARD]

Usually the news report just the magnitude of a quake, never the actual length.

This EQ lasted about 5 minutes.


Start your watch or clock and think about the ground moving for that amount of time.

[wombat2u2004]

Oz has dropped the Tsunami alert........no waves will reach here.
Reports still coming in of numbers of dead.....going up by the hour.

[Kirsten]

My gosh, just heard there was an explosion in the nuclear plant of Fukushima, and the roof of the reactor was blown away...

It's almost 25 years ago that we had to face Chernobyl, and now the same seems to happen again...

Cabinet secretary: Explosion at Japanese nuclear plant

[pomtzu]

The media seems to be downplaying this situation of the explosion - probably to avoid any panic. But this appears to be a very bad situation to start with, and now is just getting worse. How do they stop a meltdown once it's started?? Sorry, but I'm no nuclear genius, so darned if I know.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Oh gosh............ that' s terrible.........!!

Let's hope that they can get control on that nuclear plant! My hubby says it is a different kind of reactor than Tjernobyl. Something about "graphite's"

So many people are suffering now...!

My main prayer is that there will not be a nuclear explosion , because if Tokyo gets hit, this is extremely bad for the world economy!! So many companies have their headquarters in Tokyo, so many people live in that huge city...

@Sirrahbed: where was Missy living in Japan a few years ago???

[Alysser]

It's horrible, and now the Nuclear Plant blew. Many good thoughts going out the survivors and the remainder of the population there, and anyone effected elsewhere.

[Asiel]

We were watching the devastation in Japan and I was shocked when they announced the plant blew. From what they were broadcasting yesterday it seemed they had that under control, I think maybe they are downplaying the situation.
Looking at all the videos and pictures on the news made me realize how lucky we are to live where we do. We get upset with snowstorms when they hit , we just got over another big one , having a few more into April would be no surprise but it sure made me appreciate that our only gripe is the sometimes heavy snow. Not much to get upset at compared to what some of those oter countries go through. Floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc..we never have to fear that.

[lizbud]

My gosh, just heard there was an explosion in the nuclear plant of Fukushima, and the roof of the reactor was blown away...

It's almost 25 years ago that we had to face Chernobyl, and now the same seems to happen again...

Cabinet secretary: Explosion at Japanese nuclear plant

I read this morning that the building housing the reactor blew up, but the
reactor was not affected. Scary stuff.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapc...x.html?hpt=T1#

[Karen]

It is quite clear that Japanese officials are lying about what is happening at the nuclear plant. We have seen the video of that explosion, and there is no plausibility to them saying that no or very little radiation has escaped.

That everyone within a 12-mile radius has been told to evacuate, and that ring keeps growing, is a very bad sign. We are afraid for all the people and animals - both pets and wild animals in the area.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

They are saying now that a second reactor has moved into the red zone whatever that means. I imagine it's nothing good.