Big earthquake

Probably known to anyone who watches the news, but there was a big earthquake in Niigata prefecture last night at about 6. At least 16 killed, hundreds injured. We felt it in Yokohama. I was with a student when it hit. Not only was it strong--about 4 on the Japanese scale in Tokyo/Yokohama---but what was unusual was that it lasted so long. It had to be over 30 seconds. Then a few minutes later, another similar one hit.

Since that time there have been numerous aftershocks in Niigata. A disasterous year so far with the severe typhoon damage, the bear problems, and now, earthquakes.