Major Quake & Tsunami Hits Japan.

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Major Quake & Tsunami Hits Japan.

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Gareth

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yip, i just checked http://www.quake-maps.com/

looks like it was in shizuoka right when i felt it.

6.1, 1km deep. inland.

[10:06 a.m. ET Tuesday, 11:06 p.m. Tuesday in Tokyo] An aftershock with a preliminary magnitude of 6.1 struck Tuesday in the eastern part of Honshu, Japan, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was the latest of dozens of aftershocks following a monster quake with a 9.0 magnitude that hit the area Friday. The aftershock was less than a mile deep and caused shaking that was widely felt.

there will be damage from that.

the news here says the quakes are moving down from the north. it's not far from shizuoka to osaka.

crap I hope nothing happens around here. my preschool is in a crappy old ex-warehouse.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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Be safe!

On a side note, do you guys find it weird that pro photographers aren't posting about the Japanese earthquake on their blogs?

Chase Jarvis talked about it, Thom Hogan did as well, but Joe McNally, Moose Peterson, even Scott Kelby hasn't talked about it. I mean, nearly all of them shoot with Nikon. They certainly aren't obliged to say anything, but it seems oddly silent, for the most part.

Posted 2 years ago #
rbid

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No good is happening in Japan. Hope they will control all the nuke-reactors.

From the local news here, they are talking about the atmosphere that exists in Japan, with empty streets and a bad feeling of the people.. most of them do not trust the government announcements and radiation is going up in some areas.

Let's hope this nightmare will soon end and change its direction to a positive direction.

Posted 2 years ago #
JDeV

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It's sad and scary...140,000 people being displaced and many being told to seal up their doors and windows! My cousin lives in Sidney, and I emailed her after the quake/tsunami first hit. She said she was too far away for it to effect her, but when those nuclear reactors started melting, she was pretty concerned. Imagine how it must be for people right there!

As far as the well know Nikon shooters are concerned, sure it crosses your mind about availability, prices, etc. but just like the rest of us, the horror far outweighs everything else. Not just cameras, but cars and a lot of other things that are manufactured there would have to move. I heard that China is offering to let the manufacturers move there. Makes good business sense I'm sure.

Jon

Posted 2 years ago #
studio460

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We haven't heard from NR member, kyoshinikon, lately. Isn't he in Japan also? I hope he's okay, and is just out of an internet connection. Give us a holler when you can, kyoshi! Hang in there, Gareth!

Posted 2 years ago #
Super Shooter

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I did a search for Kyoshinikon and according to his profile he's from LA? Was he visiting Japan or going to school there? I hope all of you in Japan are well and I pray for you and your families to stay safe.

Seems like they are giving up on saving the nuclear plant. Latest news says there have been additional explosions and more fires at the plant. TEPCo is evacuating all remaining personnel. The US Navy is moving their ships away from Japan because of increased radiation levels and US personnel in US bases over 100 miles from the reactors are being told to stay indoors and limit outdoor activities.

If all 3 reactors meltdown, which seems more likely now then ever, the fallout will affect more then just Japan.

Posted 2 years ago #
Bland

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Nikon provides aid to the victims of earthquake in Northern Japan

March 14, 2011

Nikon Corporation would like to express its profound sympathy and condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Northern Japan, on March 11, 2011.

In response to this tragedy and to extend the immediate support to its victims and affected area, Nikon Corporation has decided to donate the following assistance:
Cash donation 100 million yen
Donee Japanese Red Cross Society

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

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trust me. the tsunami has done some damage.

the news tonight said there are 4000+ confirmed dead and 7000+ confirmed missing.

there are 10's of thousands of unconfirmed missing in towns and prefectures in the area. one town has 8000 missing residents, of the 15000 who live in the town.

the death toll will be 10000+ confirmed before too long, with 10's of thousands missing, forever.

however, it will depend of japans ability to deal with the radiation as to what will cause the most trouble. some very old evacuees will die soon, as they don't have proper food, enough water, and the temperatures are below freezing without power in the nuclear zone.

Posted 2 years ago #
aslightdelay

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@Gareth: Good luck, and stay safe.

@Jonny: As to the issues with the shut-down reactors, I saw something last night that makes sense. With the disclaimer that I majored in English and not Physics, my understanding goes something like this:

The shutdown should, at least in theory, take the normally active fuel rods out of the equation. There's also storage onsite for the spent fuel rods, which are kept under water, but it's not standing water; it's circulated in order to keep the spent rods cool. Once the water stops circulating, it basically comes to a boil. Same as if you leave a pot on the stove too long, the water starts to boil off, 'til at some point the fuel rods are exposed. Once that happens, the alloy that encases the rods starts to break down, and... well, things get ugly.

Let us know what you find out in the lecture... I'm sure it'll be a somewhat different take on things than what we've seen on the news.

Posted 2 years ago #
Rx4Photo

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Gareth,
Thank you for giving us actual information from the immediate area. Seems the media here (US) is providing us with lower numbers just to play it safe I suppose. The images are absolutely devastating - same as the images after the WWII A-bombs. Be safe, smart, and take care of your family.

Rob

Posted 2 years ago #
Gareth

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the news here is unbearable to watch. they had a primary (elementary) school graduation in an afeected area yesterday.

the parents thanked the staff for saving their childrens lives, but there was no big celebration as many of the children had lost parents.

this video illustrates it the best I have seen from outside of japan footage. this is just one town.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Video-Japan-Quake-Tsunami-Desperate-Survivors-Carry-Out-Their-Own-Searches-For-Missing-Family/Article/201103215951739

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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After a few days for everyone to calm down I'm reopening this thread. I started this thread in a photography rumors forum for two reasons. One, we have several members in Japan and I wanted to give them a way to communicate with all of us directly and to make sure they were OK. And two, Nikon's main production facility is located in Sendai, Japan which might have a long term impact on the Nikon products we wish to buy.

I have deleted about a page and a half worth of comments in this thread because the discussion strayed into a long debate about the nuclear crisis not being as bad as Chernobyl and many forum members PM'd me that such a discussion was insensitive and tempers started to get out of hand.

If someone wants to add to what I just wrote, PM me or your remark will be deleted from this thread.

Now back on-topic and let's keep the discussion FRIENDLY. Hopefully we can continue to get updates from our members in Japan.

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Condolences to the family of the one Nikon employee who did die in this tragedy and prayers for the family of the three employees who are still missing.

Posted 2 years ago #
Pierre

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I find myself still struggling to get back to a superficial life where I would be posting about my usage of old Nikon boxes and casual photo shoots while so many are haunted by the fear of what might still happen with these nukes way too close to their homes and child.

Perhaps it is the syndromes of the survivor where one feels guilt for being alive while others are not. I do not know why I feel so strongly about what has happened and is still happening to our friends in Japan. Perhaps being an obsessive engineer myself has something to do with it.

I have to admit being upset about seeing this thread being shut down despite understanding it was for good reasons. It is good that the ones having their heart in the right place still had the possibility to voice their compassion here.

Perhaps going back to photographic possibilities opened by the passionate work of amazing being is the best way to honor their achievement and help them back to normality.

But I am still upset… Flame me if you wish but these are my sentiments.

Posted 2 years ago #
spraynpray

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What's to Flame Pierre? You eloquently reflected what a lot of us are feeling.

Posted 2 years ago #
bjrichus

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spraynpray said:
What's to Flame Pierre? You eloquently reflected what a lot of us are feeling.

Agreed.

Pierre - Go for it.

Make the best images you can and know that the next purchase from Nikon will help them recover from the terrible situation they find themselves in now...

Posted 2 years ago #
jonnyapple

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spraynpray said:
What's to Flame Pierre? You eloquently reflected what a lot of us are feeling.

+1

Posted 2 years ago #
rbid

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@Pierre: Agree with you.

Posted 2 years ago #
elvishefer

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And a 7.4...

When is this going to end? Cripes...

Posted 2 years ago #
casperwb

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sad,

the good news is there was no Tsunami, thank God that their building codes allow them to withstand the quakes.

Anybody follow up on any of the other Camera blogs?

Are they affected also?

Posted 2 years ago #
Super Shooter

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Does it bother anyone else that there are so many people bitchin' about not being able to buy a new Nikon lenses? Look at what the people of Japan have to deal with.

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2011/04/world/hires.gallery.japan.forward/index.html?hpt=C2

Posted 2 years ago #
Pierre

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Yes, many have raised this point and I kind of agree with you.

Why should I be buying expensive cameras in the first place when kids all over the world have no food and are dying? How many lives could I be saving with what I have spent on futile cameras so far? Am I superficial or selfish? You tell me because I really don't know.

Perhaps the same person can be both very sorry and sadden by what has happened to the people of Japan (and so many other places) and in the same time be concerned about finding a solution to his need of equipment, do what he can to relief others pain and try to get a happy and full life for himself.

Posted 2 years ago #
NikoDoby

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We haven't heard from our Japanese members for several weeks now. Has anyone heard from them via email or PM? I hope you guys are all well!

Posted 2 years ago #
casperwb

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another one has hit again

7.1

at a depth of only 6 miles

if ever these folks need our support and prayers, it is now.

Posted 2 years ago #
NSXType-R

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I know Nikon's supply to the rest of the world is piecemeal compared to the challenges Japan is facing, but does anyone see all the MF lenses and the F6 in danger of being discontinued because of the shortages in supplies and shipment issues?

Posted 2 years ago #