Report: Japanese Officials Say Quake Was Stronger Than Initially Believed

by Rachel Christiansen

Friday’s earthquake disaster in Japan may have been stronger than originally reported, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency, who, according to the English edition of the Asahi Shimbun, have upgraded the quake’s magnitude from an 8.8 to a 9.0.

A 0.2 increase in magnitude translates into twice the amount of energy generated, making this the world’s fourth-strongest earthquake in more than a century.

Japanese officials also warned on Sunday of a 70 percent chance a strong aftershock will occur within three days, possibly reaching a magnitude of at least 7.0.