An astronomical 8.9-magnitude earthquake rocked the northeast coast of Japan early Friday morning (2:46 p.m. local time). This is the biggest earthquake the country has seen in recorded history, and  had over 50 aftershocks, most above a 6.0 magnitude, which were felt hundreds of miles away in Tokyo.

The devastation across Japan is widespread, but the hardest hit area is the coastal city of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture. Reports say 200 to 300 bodies have been found and hundreds more are missing after two giant tsunami waves (one 20-feet high, the second, 33-feet high) swallowed up boats, burning buildings, cars and debris as they rushed further and further inland, destroying everything in their path.

The scene now in Japan is like something out of an apocalyptic movie. Hundreds of people living near a nuclear power plant in Sendai have been evacuated, a boat carrying 100 people is missing after being swept away to sea, buildings have crumbled in Tokyo, millions are without power, uncontrollable fires still rage on, and thousands of Japanese are stranded with nowhere to go as public transportation has been suspended.

Tsunami warnings have been issued for the entire U.S. west coast, Alaska, Canada, South America, Russia, Indonesia, and Hawaii, where tsunami waves about 3-feet high have already hit, and are expected to get larger.

Our hearts go out to everyone living in Japan or who have friends and family there. Google has set up a Person Finder for anyone who is looking for or knows the whereabouts of someone. Huffington Post has a live blog, which is being updated as the latest reports from Japan come in. (Huffington Post)

Faye Brennan is assistant editor at BettyConfidential.