A familiar tremor

Anchorage Daily News: We live on the same tenuous ground as do the Japanese, so Alaskans felt a familiar tremor on March 10 and March 11 as news of the 8.9 earthquake came from Japan. The numbers are staggering: The earthquake centered 240 miles northeast of Tokyo was 8,000 times more powerful than the earthquake that struck New Zealand.

As of March 12 in Japan, the estimated number of people killed had passed 1,000. A powerful tsunami had struck the northeastern coast, killing more people and washing away cars homes and ships. Fires burned out of control, and a nuclear reactor was leaking radiation.

On March 11, older Alaskans, or those just familiar with our history, recalled the 1964 quake. No doubt we will help in any way we can. Meanwhile, our thoughts and prayers cross the Pacific.