8.9 magnitude earthquake jolts Japan, tsunami follows

The quake that struck about 382 kilometres northeast of Tokyo at 2.46 p.m. local time Friday, strongly shook buildings as far as Tokyo. The jolts were even felt in the Chinese capital, Beijing.

The quake, the biggest in last seven years, was followed by series of powerful jolts, including 7.4-magnitude tremor about 30 minutes later.

Tsumani warning has been issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, many Pacific islands, and American countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Hawaii.

Assessing the damage
Japan's NHK television showed cars, trucks, buildings, houses, and crops being washed away by the tsunami in the Onahama city. Even the ships were seen hitting the harbor wall.

While the officials are still trying to assess the damage, the earthquake has injured many people, as many were buried in the landslide.

Also, there have been reports of six fires in Tokyo. According to Tokyo Fire department many people were injured after a roof came down in the hall during a school graduation ceremony in east Tokyo.

So far, 5 people have been reported dead, according to several media reports.

Tsunami warning issued
Following the powerful tremors, Japan’s meteorological agency has warned of tsunami as high as 13 metres.

"An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicentre within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in the statement.

The top-level evacuation alerts have also been issued for the entire Japanese coast, Russia and the Mariana Islands.

Further, tsunami warning has been issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, many Pacific islands, and American countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Hawaii.

Waves are likely to hit Hawaii at 3 a.m. Friday local time.

Are tremors, tidal waves linked to March 19 supermoon?
Though the earthquakes are common in Japan as it is a part of Ring of Fire, a zone of frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, is this one associated with March 19 supermoon?

Tremors have not only been experienced in Japan, as a quake of magnitude 5.8 struck China Thursday, killing dozens and injuring nearly 250.

As many natural disasters have been linked to supermoons in the past, astrologers are claiming that moon's closest approach to Earth is likely to give way tidal waves, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other disasters.

So are these earthquakes a premonition of the approaching havoc?