2 Nuclear Power Plants in Japan Declare Emergencies

Emergencies were declared at two of Japan's nuclear plants whose power systems were knocked out by a massive earthquake, which also sent a tsunami into the Pacific coast of Honshu island, killing more than 1,000 people.

Authorities say two plants operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company in the city of Fukushima failed after the 8.9 magnitude quake struck waters east of Honshu early Friday afternoon. The cooling systems of several reactors failed, causing pressure to rise within the facilities.

Japanese officials say radiation levels inside parts of Fukushima's Daiichi plant rose to 1,000 times above normal. They ordered 45,000 people living within a 10-kilometer radius to evacuate.

Now, small amounts of radioactive steam will released to ease the pressure in the plant.  Northeast of Sendai, fires raged through the night in Kesennuma, a town of 70,000 people. A large fire also erupted at an oil refinery in Ichihara, near Tokyo.  The military has been called in to asssit with the evacuation of people.

7.2 Magnitude Earthquake near Guam

A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit 232 miles west southwest of the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Friday.

The quake occurred in the Mariana Islands region of the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 2.9 miles on Saturday, August 14, at 7:19 a.m. local time. Earlier USGS had reported the quake at a 7.1 magnitude and a depth of 12.4 miles.  The Mariana Islands are made up of Guam and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no destructive tsunami threat, however earthquakes of this size can be destructive along coasts near the epicenter. A quake of this magnitude is capable of widespread, heavy damage, but there were no immediate reports of destruction or injuries.

Earthquake in Ecuador

A powerful earthquake shook the South American nation of Ecuador on Thursday, but there were no reports of damage or injuries.

The magnitude-6.9 quake that hit at 6:54 a.m. (1154 GMT) was felt across much of the nation, including the capital, Quito.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake was centered 105 miles (170 kilometers) southeast of Quito. But it was also very deep — about 114 miles (190 kilometers) below the surface — a distance that might have blunted its damage.

At the Hotel Ambato, Ecuador the front desk reported the quake was felt and it shook up hotel guests who came down to the lobby, but there were no reports of damage.

A call to a small backpacker's hotel in the small town of Tena, which is east of Ambato, also reported that a quake was felt, but there were no damages there either.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that a tsunami did not appear to be generated, based on historical models.