On Friday, March 11, 2011 at 2:46p.m (local time), a 9.0 magnitude Earthquake struck Japan, the largest in recorded history.
The Quake caused severe damage to buildings, roads and infrastructure. Gas lines burst
which caused freak fires to break out and power was shut down to hundreds of thousands of homes.
which caused freak fires to break out and power was shut down to hundreds of thousands of homes.
The quake hit off the northern coast of Japan and created a massive tsunami that swept the Nation, destroying everything in its path. The 33 foot wave travelled 6 miles inland before diminishing and debris continued travelling for 10 miles before retreating back to the sea.
Fears of radiation leaking and the potential for complete meltdown added extreme tension to an already anxious nation. Talk of another Chernobyl struck Fear into us all as the reality began to set in that this could in fact get worse. Much of the country's food and water supplies have become threatened from radiation exposure and exports worldwide have drastically diminished.
The crisis has become the world's most expensive natural disaster on record, likely to cost up to $300 billion USD. Police reports claim an estimated 18,000 people were killed and 318,000 people are now homeless. Entire cities have been completely wiped off the map!
For the 3rd largest super power, already gripped by economic strife and now faced with a natural catastrophe of epic proportions, the question needs to be asked.
What will become of Japan?
Watch horrific video footage here
