Quake moved Japan by 8 feet: USGS

[Bearcat]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Japan's recent massive earthquake, one of the largest ever recorded, appears to have moved the island by about eight feet (2.4 meters), the US Geological Survey said.

"That's a reasonable number," USGS seismologist Paul Earle told AFP. "Eight feet, that's certainly going to be in the ballpark."

Friday's 8.9 magnitude quake unleashed a terrifying tsunami that engulfed towns and cities on Japan's northeastern coast, destroying everything in its path in what Prime Minister Naoto Kan said was an "unprecedented national disaster."

The quake and its tectonic shift resulted from "thrust faulting" along the boundary of the Pacific and North America plates, according to the USGS.

The Pacific plate pushes under a far western wedge of the North America plate at the rate of about 3.3 inches (83 millimeters) per year, but a colossal earthquake can provide enough of a jolt to dramatically move the plates, with catastrophic consequences.

"With an earthquake this large, you can get these huge ground shifts," Earle said. "On the actual fault you can get 20 meters (65 feet) of relative movement, on the two sides of the fault."

He said similar movements would have been seen for Chile and Indonesia.

In December 2004, a 9.1 magnitude quake off Sumatra caused a tsunami that killed an estimated 228,000 people. An 8.8 quake off the coast of Chile in February 2010 killed more than 500.

There was not a similar ground shift in the 7.0 earthquake that devastated Haiti in February 2010, Earle said.

"A magnitude 7.0 is much smaller than the earthquake that just happened in Japan," he said. "We've had aftershocks (in Japan) larger than the Haiti earthquake."

Kenneth Hudnut, a USGS geophysicist, said experts read data including from global positioning systems to determine the extend of the shift.

"We know that one GPS station moved (eight feet), and we have seen a map from GSI (Geospatial Information Authority) in Japan showing the pattern of shift over a large area is consistent with about that much shift of the land mass," he told CNN.

Source: http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/full-coverage/9002257/quake-moved-japan-by-8-feet-usgs/

[JayCub]

Thank you for sharing the news Bear, i have followed the news and my heart goes out to the people of Japan, this is a people i have always held in high regard

[Bearcat]

Hi Jay. It totally amazes me at the power unleashed during an earthquake! Land masses being shifted like that is really something, and also the power behind a tsunami. It is hard to imagine a wall of water traveling at 500 to 600 mph! Not much could with stand that! My heart and prayers also go out to the Japanese people. What a tragedy!

[David]

That's surprising

I hope the casualties don't rise in Japan

[curlysue]

very nice information there.

it really was devastating/terrifying...cars, ships pushed like leaves on water..an explosion at the nuclear plant...tsk...tsk..

guys, let's pray for them

[safeguy]

I am not usually the type who follow news, especially of disasters, etc as 95% of the times they don't concern me and I am of the opinion that it brings about an overall negative effect on our thoughts and energy such as worry, stress, etc. However, whenever I do come across such news (it's almost inevitable to avoid so to say), I can't help but to be grateful for where I am today and feel pity for those who are affected. As much as I hate to say it, this is a test of human perseverance and it won't be the last....it simply won't be.

[Bearcat]

As much as I hate to say it, this is a test of human perseverance and it won't be the last....it simply won't be.

Unfortunately you are correct. For as long as the planet earth is in existance, natural disasters will continue to occur. All we as human beings can do, is give our help and support to those affected.

[Krumpelt]

God sends tests for people...Events that it is impossible to change...People of Japan now under the sorrow...For them there is not sense, when reason of catastrophe is Moon or ocean`s motion ...We can only pray and help by all means...

[INDRANIL]

Yes thanks for the news . Also -

Experts say that the huge shake, caused by a shift in the tectonic plates deep underwater, also threw the earth off its axis point by at least 8 centimeters

[JayCub]

Each day the news brings new footage from Japan, initially i didn't realise just how bad things where in Japan a country used to earthquakes and natural disasters, but no matter how well prepared they where the elements proved greater, if it hadn't been for their awarnesss and warnings this could have been far worse, we get a bit of snow and the courntry grinds to a halt, i just pray that we are never as unfortunate as other countries.
The amount of dead and missing is just tragic and all i can do for now is offer my prayers for all their family and friends and those in need find help quickly.