Earthquake Rocks Japan, 8.9 Magnitude

After a massive earthquake of 8.9 occurred just off the coast of Japan's North Eastern shore, buildings were smashed, cars and planes swept away, and houses engulfed in water. The News Observer has compiled a gallery of 35 images showing the destruction in North East Japan.

See gallery here at newsobserver.com
Hundreds have been found or are presumed dead after a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami tore through Japan's northeast coast. Some are already declaring the 8.9 magnitude quake the largest ever recorded and after-effects are expected to hit the west coast of the US, the Phillippines, Indonesia and other vulnerable spots. The Internet has sped into action, using Twitter to report updates and Google's crisis response page to report missing persons. Live feed of Japan's coast inside.

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