Monday, August 15, 2005

Earthquake (round 2)

Just in case anyone heard it on the news, we just had a big earthquake about an hour ago. It was more than 200 miles away (maybe 250?), but we were a bit shaken here in Yokosuka. It wasn't very strong here, but it was noticeable and it lasted a long time. I don't think many reports of damage are in yet, but NHK (the national public broadcasting station) just showed pictures of old houses that had collapsed in Saitama, which is pretty far from the center of the quake.

I was having a discussion with members of the City Planning Department about bringing old buildings up to current earthquake standards when it happened. That was one of the weirdest experiences I have had in a while...

Anyway, I am safe. I might update more on this later, but keep watching the news reports, because I think this one was pretty big. Yahoo News has reported it as a magnitude 6.8. It was a low 6 on the Japanese scale.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow, that would be weird to be in a foreign country and experience an earthquake there, considering I have never experienced one in the U.S. Glad all is well

Anonymous said...

Later reports called it a 7.2 quake .. centered under the sea. Dad called me at work to be sure I was aware .... we knew you were far from the center, but we were concerned!

おにぎりまん said...

Earthquakes are scary in Japan. They think they have it solved, and then the Kobe earthquake literally destroys the city. Glad you are okay.

And the black trucks driven by the right wingers in your previous entry reminds me of the few reasons I don't want to go back to Japan.