TOKYO - THE 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of north-east
Japan spawned a ferocious tsunami that's caused massive
destruction; flattening whole towns, starting raging fires, and
killing thousands of people.
The following is a list of key events since the two natural
disasters devastated north-eastern Japan on Friday (March 11):
Friday, March 11:
- An undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9, one of the
most powerful ever recorded, strikes off Japan's north-eastern
coast just before 3.00pm local time (2pm Singapore time). The
authorities issued a tsunami warning.
- A 10m tsunami wave smashes over the north-eastern Japanese
coast, causing massive damage and flooding. A series of aftershocks
follows, many exceeding a magnitude of 7.0.
- Japanese authorities announce that four nuclear power stations
in quake-hit areas have been shut down. Eventually 11 of the
nation's roughly 50 plants stop producing power.
- The US Geological Service announces the quake was the most
powerful to hit Japan since records began.
Saturday, March 12:
- The Japanese government orders the evacuation of residents
living close to the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant, where the
disaster has caused cooling systems to fail and raised fears of a
meltdown.
- An explosion occurs in a building housing one of the plant's
reactors.
- Japan mobilises some 100,000 military and other rescue
personnel. Aid pours in from around the world, including from the
US military stationed in Japan.
- Video images show the extent of the damage, with the tsunami
washing away houses and cars and hurling ships far inland, while
fires blaze over large areas.
The US Geological Survey says the force of the quake moved
Honshu - the main Japanese island - by 2.4m.
Sunday, March 13:
- The government says 230,000 people have been evacuated from
the vicinity of the crippled nuclear reactors.
- While the overall toll remains unclear, the police chief in
badly-hit Miyagi prefecture said the number of deaths was certain
to exceed 10,000 in his region alone.
- A man who was swept out to sea on a piece of the roof of his
house is rescued by a naval vessel.
- The Japanese government announces energy rationing due to the
shutdown of nuclear power stations. Millions of residents are
without any power or water.
- The Japanese weather service says there is a 70 per cent
chance that a further aftershock with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher
could occur within three days.
Monday, March 14:
- A second explosion occurs at the stricken Fukushima nuclear
power station.
- Rescuers say they have found 2,000 bodies in Miyagi
prefecture.
- Share prices plunge 6.18 per cent on the Tokyo stock
exchange.
- A United Nations humanitarian agency says 1.4 million Japanese
are without running water and more than half a million have been
evacuated.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency says it is 'very
unlikely' Fukushima will turn into a Chernobyl-like situation.
- The US Geological Survey upgrades the magnitude of Friday's
quake to 9.0.
Tuesday, March 15:
- Two more blasts and a fire rock the Fukushima plant and
radiation levels around the facility reach dangerous levels,
prompting the government to advise people up to 30km from the
reactor to stay indoors.
- Officials say that higher than normal radiation levels are
detected in Tokyo.
- The official death toll from the disaster passes 2,400.
- Japan stocks fall more than 14 per cent before clawing back
ground with shares ending down 10.55 per cent.
- The Bank of Japan pumps eight trillion yen (almost S$130
billion) into the financial system to soothe shaken money markets
following a record 15-trillion yen injection on Monday.
Wednesday, March 16
- A new fire erupts at the troubled Fukushima plant. Workers are
briefly evacuated, as a tall white cloud is seen billowing into the
sky over the complex.
- Radiation levels at the plant's entrance spike before
decreasing.
- Another strong 6.0-magnitude aftershock hits. Buildings in
Tokyo sway.
- Emperor Akihito delivers a rare address to the nation,
offering his prayers and expressing his deep concern over the
escalating nuclear crisis.
- The official number of dead and missing surpasses 11,000.
- Tokyo shares rebound after the biggest two-day sell-off in 24
years. The headline Nikkei share index closed up 5.68 per cent on
bargain hunting.
- The Bank of Japan pumps another 3.5 trillion yen (S$55.5
billion) into the financial system.
Thursday, March 17
- The official number of dead and missing hits 14,650, a rise of
nearly 1,000 in just a few hours.
- Foreign governments urge their citizens to leave Tokyo and US
State Department authorises the voluntary departure of US embassy
family members.
- Chinook helicopters dump tonnes of water in a desperate effort
to cool overheating nuclear reactors.
- The government says Japan faces major blackouts unless energy
use falls.
- Tokyo shares close down 1.44 per cent as the central bank
injects another five trillion yen (S$80.9 billion) into its
buckling financial system.
- US President Barack Obama offers to give Japan any support
that it needs, the Tokyo government says.
-- AFP
