On Friday, March 11, a catastrophic earthquake of an 8.9 magnitude, with a depth reaching 24 km, struck the east coast of Japan.
The quake, measured by the Japanese Meteorological Agency, is reportedly the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the country. It has been followed by a series of 150-200 aftershocks, ranging in size 5.8 to 7.1 in magnitude, striking the same area.
Triggered by the earthquake, the unsuspecting landscape was subsequently swept by a devastating 10 metre high tsunami, with waves reaching 500 mph. Videos have captured the terrifying brown-coloured miles-wide wall of sludge that has ravaged several cities.
According to Nato Kan, Japan’s prime minister, 15, 000 remain unaccounted for (10, 000 in Miyagi alone), making this the worst crisis in Japan since World War II. With many thousands missing, towns decimated, millions of those who’ve survived remain stranded without electricity, food or water, as thousands of bodies continue to wash up on the northern shores of Miyagi.
Following the twin disasters, three separate explosions, have occurred at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Friday’s earthquake and tsunami caused the plant to lose power, which buckled the cooling systems required to prevent nuclear fuel from melting down.
There is an increasing widespread fear in Japan of radiation leak, as reports released Monday indicate a significant spike after the first two blasts set off at the plant, which then dropped to 700 times less. Kan is warning citizens within 30 km of the Fukushima plant to stay indoors. Low-level radioactive wind from the reactor is feared to reach Japanese capital city of Tokyo.
The spreading fear of the leaking of nuclear material, carrying high levels of radiation, is being felt through the nation. Meanwhile, the death toll from the disasters has already reached 3000 as of Tuesday, March 15.
Japan’s national strategy minister was reported stating that there is “absolutely no possibility of a Chernobyl,” referencing the 1986 explosion of a Soviet reactor, effecting Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and northern areas of Europe, causing the deaths of thousands.
An untested method of treating the reactors with seawater and boric acid is being tried as attempted last resort while elsehwere around the world, countries have been gathering and sending aid, horrified by the live feed showing the absolutely destruction of the northeastern coast of the country. Over 70 countries have offered assistance, with help coming not just from allies like Canada and the US, but countries with which Japan has a more strained relationship (such a s China).
As many desperately try to flee the country, and locate relatives, people in Japan and those watching around the world are questioning whether the government is fully disclosing the true status of the situation, or taking measures to avoid public panic.
