massive earthquake and tsunamis hit japan

[Ben]

News just in...
A massive earthquake measuring in excess of 8.0 has hit northern japan about one hour ago before tsunami waves ranging from 10m to 4m inundating coastal areas of northern japan. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has issued a tsunami alert for Indonesia, Australia, NZ, and Chile. Apparently extensive damage in Fukishima prefecture and Miyagi prefecture.

[tiltbillings]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ap_on_re_as/as_japan_earthquake

[plwk]

Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dhammaya, Namo Sanghaya

[phil]

I was buying an i-phone and the sales guy and I just kept working on the contract while people around us were freaking out in a quiet and composed Japanese manner. Didn't seem that much stronger than other tremors that I've felt here.
But people were staying out on the streets, congregating in department stories, afraid to go home, I guess. I don't know why, it's so far from the epicentre.

　　edit - I watched some videos in Tokyo, and it certainly was beyond the keep-working-on-what-you're doing threshhold. So I guess it was because we were on the ground floor. Funny, I just got back to Tokyo from Thailand this morning and had been talking to a Thai friend who was terrified of earthquakes, I told him it was nice in Thailand to feel safe to go to bed without preparing valuable books etc for a quick escape like I usually do.

[gavesako]

Whatever there is made of form, inhabiting the earth and the sky, immersed in the world, all is impermanent and breaking up. So understanding, the wise live their lives.
(Theragatha 1215)

[Annapurna]

I hope Christopher is safe. He lives not too far from the epicentre....if I remember that correctly...

Horrible pictures on TV...

[Annapurna]

Thanks, Bikkhu Gavesako.

This is true. Helps.

[christopher:::]

News just in...
A massive earthquake measuring in excess of 8.0 has hit northern japan about one hour ago before tsunami waves ranging from 10m to 4m inundating coastal areas of northern japan. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has issued a tsunami alert for Indonesia, Australia, NZ, and Chile. Apparently extensive damage in Fukishima prefecture and Miyagi prefecture.

We live in Southeast Japan, Fukuoka, and had a big quake about 6 years ago. No damage here today but nothing like this has happened in recent times, where so many areas of Japan were hit by quakes and tsunamis simultaneously.

I hope not too many people have died.

[Annapurna]

I'm glad you are safe, Chris.

Magnitude: 8,9.

I hope the nuke plants are tight.

[Annapurna]

I just heard on the news that a nuclear emergency has been declared.

2 m Tsunami is expected to hit California.

May all beings be safe.

[Ben]

I hope not too many people have died.

Indeed.
Glad to hear all's well with you and yours.

[Annapurna]

Guys,

are you aware how dangerous the situation in the nuclear power plant with insufficient cooling is?

Let's hope and pray that they can keep it cool.

[Jhana4]

That is one good thing about wind and solar power. In the event of an earthquake, a terrorist attack or incompetence nobody would need to be frightened about the wind or sunlight getting loose.

[Annapurna]

Quite right.

[Annapurna]

The situation in the Fukushima reactor is dramatic.

Oh my...the next hours are crucial.

[unspoken]

Tsunami waves began rolling into Hawaii early Friday, with readings of between 6 and 8 feet expected in some areas following the giant earthquake that struck Japan.

[mikenz66]

Hmm, makes our little shake look rather mild... Marinas shaken up in California, and we even have (minor) Tsunami down here:





I know I shouldn't be reading such physicality into the Dhamma, but viewing the pictures I can't get Ven Nananada's comment out of my mind:

The very understanding that 'consciousness turns back from name-and-form and that it does not go beyond, is the saving-wisdom which amounts to a full comprehension of the illusion (Maayaa) that is consciousness. Between these two links of the Pa.ticca Samuppaada there is a vortex or a whirling-round for a designation of 'this-ness' (i.e., 'the conditions of this existence'). Now, a vortex or an eddy, is 'a current running back, contrary to the main stream, thus causing a circular motion,' and this Sa.msaaric vortex too is the outcome of defying the flux of nature with its three characteristics of impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha) and not-self (anattaa). ...

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nanananda/wheel183.html#fn-51

May the people of Japan be well...


Mike

[Tex]

Heartbreaking. I hope the loss of life will be as minimal as possible, but I fear tens of thousands may already be gone. So sad.

[Annapurna]

I have a really bad feeling about the nuclear plant ...

The tsunami and earthquakes are nothing, if it comes to a nuclear meltdown.

Then the shit hits the fan.

Remember Chernobyl?

[mikenz66]

Radio New Zealand SAT: Kevin Kamps: nuclear emergency
12/03/11 08:18
Radioactive Waste Watchdog and specialist in nuclear waste at Byeond Nuclear, talking about the problems at the Fukushima atomic power plant.
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/sat/sat-20 ... cy-048.mp3

Mike