I was enjoying a Tokyo restaurant with Shiro when the seat began to sway and shake — my first earthquake. (Actually I’d slept through a couple in the past.)

“That was nothing, he told me. … Happens all the time.”

… the Great East Japan Earthquake (東日本大震災) … Friday, 11 March 2011 … was the most powerful known earthquake ever to have hit Japan, and one of the five most powerful earthquakes in the world overall since modern record-keeping began in 1900.

One minute before the earthquake was felt in Tokyo, the Earthquake Early Warning system … sent out warnings of impending strong shaking to millions. It is believed that the early warning by the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) saved many lives. …

… A 400 km (250 mi) stretch of coastline dropped vertically by 0.6 m (2.0 ft), allowing the tsunami to travel farther and faster onto land …

Earthquakes are scary. One woman told me she ran out into her yard and hugged the biggest tree.

But the damage was mostly caused by the tidal wave. Over 230,000 vehicles were destroyed. More than 90% of the deaths were from drowning. Here’s a glimpse of what happened in one coastal town.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Life is short. Be thankful every day you have without earthquake. Especially if you live near a fault line.

And don’t forget the people in Japan.