March 2011: Japan hit by tsunami after massive earthquakeClose A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage. Japan's TV showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away in the Fukushima prefecture, after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Officials said a wave as high as 6m (20ft) could strike the coast. The quake struck about 250 mile
![March 2011: Tsunami wave sweeps inland](https://cdn-ak-scissors.b.st-hatena.com/image/square/255b3cf32a2cc305abc29cc0f027cb2f7d218aa9/height=288;version=1;width=512/https%3A%2F%2Fichef.bbci.co.uk%2Fnews%2F1024%2Fmedia%2Fimages%2F51636000%2Fjpg%2F_51636947_51636832.jpg)