An 8.9 magnitude earthquake caused Japan’s tsunami, which killed hundreds of people as it engulfed the eastern coast of Japan. Taking everything in its path, including boats, cars, homes and people, the massive wave moved further inland to Japan’s dry land. It also sped eastward in the opposite direction across the Pacific Ocean at approximately 500 mph, hitting Hawaii and the U.S. west coast. Sirens sounded for hours on the Hawaiian Islands and on the west coast before dawn, and roadways and beaches were mostly empty as the smaller tsunami struck.
In Hawaii, the ocean water rushed up onto the roadways and into hotel lobbies. Low-lying areas in Maui were also flooded as 7-foot waves crashed ashore. Large waves also hit, causing damage to at least two California harbors. Thankfully, the waves did not emerge over a 20-foot protective wall blocking the rest of the cities, and no serious injury or home damage was immediately reported. However, damage estimates in Crescent City were in the millions, and more boats and docks were hit in Santa Cruz on California's central coast.
Scientists warned residents that the first tsunami waves are not always the strongest, and officials informed the residents and dwellers of Hawaii and along the west coast that they should remain vigilant. However, the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory in Hawaii, and Governor Neil Abercrombie said the islands were "fortunate almost beyond words."
Effects on the Earth
The massive earthquake that struck northeast Japan March 11 has shortened the length of Earth's day by a fraction and shifted how the planet's mass is distributed. The intense temblor has accelerated Earth's spin, shortening the length of the 24-hour day by 1.8 microseconds, according to geophysicist Richard Gross at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The earthquake also shifted Earth's axis by about 6 1/2 inches (17 centimeters).
Nuclear Plant Radiation
The Nuclear Plants radiation could contaminate the world's food supply with toxic radiation, say experts. If the plant’s radioactive particles get caught in the jet stream and travel the world over, they will end up contaminating crops and grazing fields. "The explosions could expose the population to longer-term radiation, which can raise the risk of cancer, including thyroid cancer, bone cancer and leukemia. Children and fetuses are especially vulnerable," said Lam Ching-wan, a chemical pathologist at the University of Hong Kong. "For some individuals even a small amount of radiation can raise the risk of cancer. The higher the radiation, the higher the risk of cancer."
According to experts, there are many ways in which radioactive particles can travel. They can bind to rain droplets and fall with the rain, or they can just travel in the wind and be inhaled by animals and humans. Radioactive particles are dangerous and can be embedded in soil and water where they contaminate the environment, wildlife, crops, and drinking water. Recently, officials have tracked the radioactive plume as it has drifted eastward on prevailing winds from Japan, affecting both the West and East Coast and the Atlantic Ocean, moving towards Europe. Health experts assure that the plume’s radiation had been diluted in its journey to the coasts and currently there are no health consequences in the United States.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/asia/22plume.html
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