On March 11 2011, Japans earthquake was the worst to hit in the countries history. It was so bad infact, over 20 other countries were under tsunami alerts. A recent update on Japans earthquake said that the magnitude of the quake was 8.9.  As Americans were asleep, at 2:46pm (Tokyo time), the devastating earthquake hit, 81 miles off the coast of Sendai, which is 230 miles from Tokyo. After shocks so powerful that they shook buildings with 7.4 magnitude distruction.

After the rumbling earthquake hit Japan, wall of water followed as a tsunami slammed into the northern coast of Japan. Sweeping houses,ships and everything in it's path. Some of these waves were said to be in excess of 30 feet. As a result, Japans earthquake caused over 20 countries to issue tsunami alerts up and down the Pacific Region.

Japans earthquake was said to be 160 times stronger than the Febuary 22 quake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand. After that deadly earthquake, Scientist suspected that seismic activity would affect the already unstable regions that lie on what is known as the "Ring of Fire". Japan is one of many which sit on this "ring" which circles the Pacific.

Japans earthquake is their most recent disaster. But Japan also has other dangers that haunt the country. Japan sits on several oceanic plates called the Japanese Archipelago. This is the cause of the frequent earthquakes. Japan is also knoted for the many volcanoes and hot springs thoughout the country. Although the most recent earthquake to hit Japan was the strongest on record, Japans earthquakes have killed and injured hundreds of thousands of people in the past. In fact the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923 killed over 100,000 people and injured even more. The Great Hanshin earthquake that hit Kobe in 1995, killed over 6000 and injured 415,000.

Although the death toll of Japans earthquake is yet to be determined, it is expected to be less fatal than those in the past. Unlike the earthquake that hit Haiti, Japan has long prepared for earthquakes. Being in an earthquake prone region, Japan has prepared itself for earthquakes of this magnitude. And having done so, the lives that could have been lost, could have very well been in the tens of thousands.

Maybe Japans earthquake is a warning to society. As natural disasters are increasing in biblical proportions, one must wonder where the next disaster will strike. Some are blaming global warming. Whatever is causing the increase in natural disasters, Japans earthquake should be a warning sign that no one should ignore.

Japans earthquake, is it a sign or not? you be the judge