# Large earthquake in Northeast Japan **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 11, 2011, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279 "2011-03-11T06:10:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/401 "2011-03-14T13:43:32Z")
Jesus, in [this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbYuw9xU-Ns), there are three or four-story buildings with debris on the top. ETA: good on your husband, **Hokkaido Brit**. I’ve done something similar, minus all the bodies. Of all the terrible things I experienced, the one thing that will never leave me is the memory of that smell. And it does take an emotional strain - he’ll need a lot of support when he comes back. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/402 "2011-03-14T13:48:52Z")
**Hokkaido Brit** , wishing you and your family all the best. You guys really are great people. Let me know if there’s anyway me or my GF (in Matsumae, maybe close, Hokkaido is a big place), can help. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/403 "2011-03-14T14:39:48Z")
> [@Hokkaido\_Brit](#): > > Just heard from my husband - a brief phone call from his cell phone. He says it is like nothing he has ever seen, Many thanks to you and your family for your sacrifices. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/404 "2011-03-14T15:21:20Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > [This](http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2Fmaps%2FkhgJ&h=674ca) is what the street used to look like (Google Street View). > > I noticed that at 50 seconds on the video, the camera pans past a sign that looks like it indicates a tsunami escape route up those stairs - are these a common feature in coastal towns in this area? [Here’s](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=kesennuma&aq=&sll=38.277809,141.015701&sspn=0.102146,0.191574&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Kesennuma,+Miyagi+Prefecture,+Japan&t=h&layer=c&cbll=38.899021,141.578228&panoid=ZU--NQExOOwqoysPg7ax4Q&cbp=11,304.77,,1,4.42&ll=38.899032,141.578236&spn=0.00511,0.015063&z=16) the same sign on Google - it looks like it shows a wave symbol. Apparently so. [Japan prepared well for tsunami - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/03/11/moore.japan.tsunami/index.html) [ul] [li]Japan’s northern coastline is perhaps the best protected area in the world against tsunamis. Ten-meter high walls defend many towns.[/li][li] **Road signs mark the beginning and end of inundation areas determined as such by sophisticated computer simulations.** [/li][li] **Evacuation routes are well-signed, and vertical evacuation is available in areas distant from high ground.** [/li][li]Green belts designed to dissipate tsunami energy line most of the coast.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/405 "2011-03-14T15:26:48Z")
> [@TokyoPlayer](#): > > The reason earthquakes are “fun” for my 2 1/2 y.o. daughter is that they do drills every couple of months. They stop what they are doing and get into little balls covering their heads with their hands. > > It apparently was fun to do it when the floor was shaking. That reminds me of family tornado drills when I was very young - mom didn’t want us to be frightened, so she essentially made it a party. Then one day we’re under tornado warning, the darn thing is on the hill above the house, making a left turn just prior to ripping the roof of the neighbor’s house then continuing down the street spreading mayhem and debris, and we’re in the basement dancing to the radio and chasing each other around in a game of tag and squealing with laughter. WE were having fun. MOM was about to have a nervous breakdown. I’m convinced that, _as long the kids and the loved ones don’t get hurt_ the kids actually are sometimes less traumatized by things than the adults because the kids don’t know enough to realize how dangerous the situation is and can’t see the big picture. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/406 "2011-03-14T15:36:48Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m convinced that, _as long the kids and the loved ones don’t get hurt_ the kids actually are sometimes less traumatized by things than the adults because the kids don’t know enough to realize how dangerous the situation is and can’t see the big picture. When I was enlisted one of the older guys said to me, “I envy you. You’re too dumb to be scared.” ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/407 "2011-03-14T16:03:42Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m convinced that, _as long the kids and the loved ones don’t get hurt_ the kids actually are sometimes less traumatized by things than the adults because the kids don’t know enough to realize how dangerous the situation is and can’t see the big picture. Absolutely. Especially at this age, then they have no idea what is real and what isn’t. This was just fun, and since the teachers didn’t make a big deal of it, she just thought it was part of the program. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/408 "2011-03-14T17:56:31Z")
tokyoplayer, as i was reading the thread earlier i had a bit of an idea. would it be possible for you to write a little kiddie book for your betachan? just a betachan and the great earthquake thing. put in where she was and what she was doing, where you were, how both of you got home, what you did then, where your wife was, how she got home, etc. you could add to it as things go on. like how you kept things going at home, what you did during the rolling black outs etc. she is very young and may not remember first hand, the wee book thing will be a treasured memory. and won’t it be great to read to the grandkids? how when mummy was their age there was a big event? this would be something interesting even for the older kids to do, like jpndude’s family. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/409 "2011-03-14T17:57:32Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I have no desire to look, but I can already predict the fundies are saying it’s god’s punishment for being heathens or some such nonsense. [Spot on](http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/03/117_83088.html): > [@](#): > > A well-known pastor here has caused a stir by describing Japan’s latest earthquake as a warning from God to an “idol-worshiping nation.” But it’s refreshing that Korean groups slammed the dude for those comments. Same article, the 2nd paragraph: > [@](#): > > The controversial remarks by Rev. Cho Yong-gi, emeritus pastor of the Yeouido Full Gospel Church, have immediately resulted in strong criticism from civic groups and Internet users who are calling for the pastor to resign and offer an apology to the earthquake victims. And how’s this for spin? Same article, last paragraph: > [@](#): > > The Yeouido Full Gospel Church said Monday that Cho had only intended to express condolences to the victims and their family and friends, adding that it was unfortunate for his remarks to have been misinterpreted. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/410 "2011-03-14T18:16:04Z")
I’ve been watching some of the videos and it’s really surreal. You see the waves moving and cars not far from the deluge but the camera pans away before the waves catch up with them. I don’t know if those were edited so we wouldn’t see them washed over or if that’s just the way it was filmed. But I can’t help thinking that every car, boat or house floating by has people in them that won’t survive. This has to be one of the most well-documented in real time natural disasters in recent times. It is both fascinating and heart-breaking. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/411 "2011-03-14T18:40:25Z")
[Thousands of bodies wash ashore in Japan](http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/953522--thousands-of-bodies-wash-ashore-in-japan?bn=1) Where’s the weeping emoticon when you need it? ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/412 "2011-03-14T18:46:35Z")
Got a response from the guy who uploaded the Facebook vid: > [@](#): > > Hello, > Thank you for messaging me. I have been receiving lots of friend requests/messages as a result of the video I released onto facebook, and have decided to start a new page dedicated to my experiences in, and coverage of, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Please take a moment to “like” it so you can keep up on the latest, and I will try to find a way to share the videos outside of facebook as well: > > [http://www.facebook.com/ThroughWesternEyes](http://www.facebook.com/ThroughWesternEyes) > > I also have set up a special donation page, if you would like to donate to the relief effort but don’t know where to send your donations. Please take a look here: > > [http://www.facebook.com/l/e8e17yQLIcanQT0tWFh6oGT8AsA/www.jmacwhyte.com/tsunami](http://www.facebook.com/l/e8e17yQLIcanQT0tWFh6oGT8AsA/www.jmacwhyte.com/tsunami) > > Thanks again, and I look forward to your support! > -James ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/413 "2011-03-14T19:16:56Z")
> [@Asimovian](#): > > It occurs to me that this may be the least mundane or pointless thread ever posted in MPSIMS. Well, I think it ties with this one: [World Trade Center Plane Crash](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=86458) ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/414 "2011-03-14T19:40:02Z")
[More astonishing, horrifying video](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12735023) - the sequence from 0:56 onwards is just mindblowing. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/415 "2011-03-14T19:59:59Z")
**jjimm** you’re right that’s horrifying. I kept trying to encourage the filmer to tilt down so I could make sure those people running away were making it. ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/416 "2011-03-14T20:09:52Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > **jjimm** you’re right that’s horrifying. I kept trying to encourage the filmer to tilt down so I could make sure those people running away were making it. Running away? They looked like they were just strolling around or standing there watching. Were they possibly on a higher spot than it looks from that angle? And I kept wanting to slap away the hands holding the camera. I want to see the rest of the video. Or maybe not. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/417 "2011-03-14T20:37:27Z")
I’m probably reading too much into what was difficult to see, but I had the impression for some reason that someone had plopped down and refused to move. As if they were (understandably) distraught over what was happening. It seemed like the others lagging behind had to grab that person to get them moving. I’d have to watch again to see if my impression is still that way, but I don’t know that I want to watch it again yet. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/418 "2011-03-14T20:37:35Z")
> [@Moonlitherial](#): > > **jjimm** you’re right that’s horrifying. I kept trying to encourage the filmer to tilt down so I could make sure those people running away were making it. I’ve noticed in a lot of the videos that people clearly didn’t realise just how massive the wave was going to be, and at first weren’t getting far enough away. Perhaps even areas that would normally be considered safe weren’t, such was the size of the wave. It looks like at least two people didn’t make it at the end there. It seemed like they were struggling to get up the slope, others went back to help but you can still see two of them get swept away. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/419 "2011-03-14T21:28:46Z")
Perhaps the people who were down were elderly or sick or had just left behind parents or loved ones in those houses that were being swept away. The other people were laboring to pick them up and carry them off, maybe against their will. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279/420 "2011-03-14T21:48:05Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Well, I think it ties with this one: [World Trade Center Plane Crash](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=86458) Fair enough – that was before my time on the Dope, but I should have thought of that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-earthquake-in-northeast-japan/574279.md?page=22)