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Washington: The U.S. Geological Survey upgraded to 8.9 the magnitude of the major earthquake off the northeast coast of Japan on Friday.
The USGS said the massive quake struck off-shore 81 miles (130 kms) east of Sendai in Honshu at a depth of 15.2 miles (24 kms).
The USGS initially reported a 7.9 quake and later upgraded the magnitude to 8.8 and then to 8.9.
The earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo, causing "many injuries," at least one fire and triggering a four-meter (13-ft) tsunami, NHK television and witnesses reported.
There was also a warning of a 10-meter tsunami following the quake, Japan's biggest in 7 years.
The USGS reported four strong aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 7.1 magnitude, including a 6.8 quake on the mainland 22 miles (35 kms) southwest of Mito, northeast of Tokyo.
The USGS said the massive quake struck off-shore 81 miles (130 kms) east of Sendai in Honshu at a depth of 15.2 miles (24 kms).
The USGS initially reported a 7.9 quake and later upgraded the magnitude to 8.8 and then to 8.9.
The earthquake shook buildings in Tokyo, causing "many injuries," at least one fire and triggering a four-meter (13-ft) tsunami, NHK television and witnesses reported.
There was also a warning of a 10-meter tsunami following the quake, Japan's biggest in 7 years.
The USGS reported four strong aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 7.1 magnitude, including a 6.8 quake on the mainland 22 miles (35 kms) southwest of Mito, northeast of Tokyo.