Los Angeles: Scientists say the massive earthquake that struck off the coast of Japan ranks as the fifth largest jolt in the world since 1900.
The magnitude-8.9 "megathrust" quake is similar to what happened during the 2004 Sumatra quake and the one last year in Chile. In all these cases, one tectonic plate is shoved beneath another.
Such earthquakes are responsible for the most powerful shifts in the Earth's crust.
More than 80 aftershocks greater than magnitude-5 have been felt since the Japanese quake - a number that scientists say is normal for a quake this size.
U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones said a friend who was in Tokyo for a tsunami planning meeting noted the shaking after the initial shock lasted for about five minutes.
The magnitude-8.9 "megathrust" quake is similar to what happened during the 2004 Sumatra quake and the one last year in Chile. In all these cases, one tectonic plate is shoved beneath another.
Such earthquakes are responsible for the most powerful shifts in the Earth's crust.
U.S. Geological Survey seismologist Lucy Jones said a friend who was in Tokyo for a tsunami planning meeting noted the shaking after the initial shock lasted for about five minutes.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Japan Megaquake Alert Triggers Mass Hotel Cancellations, Disrupts Tourism Japanese Urged To Avoid Panic Buying After Megaquake Fear Spreads Indian Embassy In Japan Issues Advisory After Experts Warn Of 'Megaquake' Parents Gave Names Of Interns, Doctors To CBI In Kolkata Horror: Sources How Extreme Weather Is Leading To Rise In Child Marriages In Pakistan 3 Days After Big Order On Deposits With SBI And PNB, Karnataka Hits Pause "Far From Over" But Joe Biden Has High Hopes For Gaza Ceasefire Indian Student In UK Develops Revolutionary Carbon-Extracting Biomaterial Video: Woman Tries To Jump Off Mumbai's Atal Setu, Saved By Driver, Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.