Japan Earthquake

Family members clean the floors of their fruit shop as bottles and cans are scattered after a strong quake hit Kushiro, northern Japan, Sept. 26, 2003. Damage from the magnitude-8 quake was relatively light, not only because it struck deep under the ocean but also because people in the quake-prone region were prepared.

Workers examine a cave-in on a road Sept. 26, 2003, after the wold's most-powerful earthquake in 2-1/2 years hit in Kushiro, northern Japan.

Smoke rises from an oil tank at the Idemitsu Kosan Co. refinery in Tomakomai, southern Hokkaido, Sept. 26, 2003 after a powerful earthquake sparked a fire there. This photo was provided by Sapporo Fire Department.

Workers clear the debris scattered on the floor of Kushiro airport building after a strong quake hit the city in northern Japan, Sept. 26, 2003.

Smoke rises from an oil tank at an Idemitsu Kosan Co. refinery in Tomakomai, southern Hokkaido, Sept. 26, 2003. The earthquake sparked a fire there. This photo was provided by Sapporo Fire Department.

Tombstones are seen knocked down after a strong quake hit Kushiro, in northern Japan, Sept. 26, 2003.

The observation deck of the Taiki town office was damaged by the early-morning earthquake.

Black smoke billows from a burning industrial plant in Tomakomai after the earthquake.

The pier of Tokachi port is awash with sea water after a tidal wave triggered by a powerful earthquake surged to the port in southern Hokkaido.

Residents look at a small metal processing factory which collapsed in Shironuka, about 13 miles west of Kushiro on Hokkaido island, northern Japan, Sept. 26, 2003, after a powerful earthquake hit the area early in the morning. The sign reads: "Ibata Sheet Metal Processing Co. Ltd."

Residents take a rest at a shelter in Toyokoro, Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, Sept. 26, 2003.

A fishing boat is beached on the pier of Tokachi port, on Hokkaido, Sept. 26, 2003, after a tidal wave hit the area.

A worker starts clearing the floor scattered with books that fell from the shelves at a book store in Obihiro, northern Japan, after a big earthquake struck, Sept. 26, 2003.

Workers look at the damaged ceiling of the terminal of Kushiro airport after a powerful earthquake hit the area, Sept. 26, 2003.