Huge whirlpool created after Japan quake

A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan, triggering a tsunami and a huge whirlpool.

The tsunami warning was extended to the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Pacific coast of Russia and Hawaii.

Dramatic footage of the whirlpool was taken by a helicopter, as the BBC's Humphrey Hawksley explains.

Japan quake survivors return to devastated Minamisanriku port

The town of Minamisanriku was completely devastated by the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan on Friday and half the town's 17,000-strong population are still missing.

Alastair Leithead spoke to some of those residents who managed to flee the small port before the wave hit.

Japan hit by tsunami after massive earthquake

A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage.

Japan's TV showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away in the Fukushima prefecture, after the 8.9 magnitude earthquake.

Officials said a wave as high as 6m (20ft) could strike the coast.

The quake struck about 250 miles (400km) from Tokyo at a depth of 20 miles, shaking buildings in the capital for several minutes.

Chris Ryan, head of the Australian Tsunami Warning Centre, describes the impact of the Tsunami.

Japan quake: Second blast at Fukushima nuclear plant

A second explosion has hit the nuclear plant in Japan which was damaged in Friday's earthquake.

TV footage showed smoke rising from Fukushima plant's reactor 3, a day after an explosion hit reactor 1.

Japan's nuclear safety agency said the blast was believed to have been caused by the build-up of hydrogen.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said the core container at the reactor was still intact.

Japan earthquake: Footage of moment tsunami hit

Newly emerged footage shows the force at which the tsunami struck Japan's coast.

In the fishing port of Miyako, in Iwate prefecture, boats were overturned, while video from Kamaishi city shows cars being dragged down city streets by the water.

The tsunami that followed the 8.9-magnitude earthquake wreaked havoc along a huge stretch of Japan's north-east coast, sweeping far inland and devastating a number of towns and villages. Powerful aftershocks are continuing to hit the region.

Footage courtesy of TV Asahi and TBS