Earthquake?!

[mingshi]

:eek:

Just saw Earthquake in Sendai and Iwate on TV news.
Everyone okay down there?

[iwatekenshi]

Yes thanks for your concern. We're ok but now we're having aftershocks. It was a bit scary though and my desk at work was flipped over! Perhaps one building at work might have to be taken down. This has been an amazing experience again. I'm also a veteran of the Kobe earthquake. I was reminded very suddenly!

[kendomushi]

Looks like they are still having aftershocks as strong as 4 on the Japanese scale in the past hour.
Prayers and best wishes for all up there.

[Confound]

Only one person was hurt, or so the BBC claims. I'd just stepped into my sensei's dojo when the house started to shake. Seemed like a good idea to step right back out again.

Thanks, Mingshi.

c

[kendomushi]

I've heard reports of up to 100 minor injuries related to the quake. Seems every source has a different number though. Generally I trust the BBC for news in English though.
According to tenki.or.jp you are still getting little aftershocks of shindo 1 - 2 even this morning. Hope it continues to settle down.

[KATSUJIN]

well....i hope everything and everyone is alright there

[Kuri]

Originally posted by Confound
Seemed like a good idea to step right back out again.
c
You're better off inside, especially if it's a dojo (modern design or even old structures that have stood the test of time). Youy're more likely to be crushed from falling debris (mostly masonry) or be electrocuted from falling power lines (they're everywhere in this country :( )

[Confound]

That's what I thought, but everyone else was leaving the building, and it was either get out or get pushed out. So, I got out. Isn't a doorway the best place to stand in an earthquake?

c

[kendomushi]

Yes and no. In western buildings, the door frame is virtually always a load bearing structure or at least very near to a load bearing support. With the light weight nature of some Japanese buildings this is not always the case.
In Japan you are safest if you can get to an open area like a school yard or larger space.

[Paburo]

http://119.kouiki.kitakata.fukushima.jp/bousai/1_5_9_1_3_1.html

[dorkusxmaximus]

hope everyone is fine.

[m_french]

Originally posted by Confound
Isn't a doorway the best place to stand in an earthquake?

c

Here at the SCI we may not know much but we do know earthquakes, if you're inside the doorway or under a strong peice of furniture is the best, but I'd rather be on the beach....but then I'd always rather be on the beach :beard:

Hope everyone is ok.

[blur]

Originally posted by m_french
Here at the SCI we may not know much but we do know earthquakes, if you're inside the doorway or under a strong peice of furniture is the best, but I'd rather be on the beach....but then I'd always rather be on the beach :beard:

Yup... unless, of course, said earthquake could cause a tidal wave - and there was a fear of that in the recent Japanese 'quake.

[Kiki]

Doorways are safest if there is no door. The last thing you need is to get your fingers crushed or knocked across the room by a swinging door. But good for you if you can move at all. I was frozen during the Northridge quake, just waiting for the roof to fall in on my head.

Best wishes to all of you in and around Sendai!

[kendomushi]

Now they are talking about the possibility of this quake triggering the next total destruction of Tokyo. Sometime in the next 30 years...........

[Phlebas]

"...but everyone else was leaving the building, and it was either get out or get pushed out. So, I got out." -- Confound

I must admit this particular statement took me by surprise... I always thought of you as rather NON-conformist, Confound! :) I suppose in the case of an earthquake you should do as the locals do. I'm glad you're OK, I would miss your posts! I'm also glad to hear that there were no fatalities... any update on that? Hard to get that kind of news where I am.