Following a devastating 8.9-magnitude earthquake that struck 230 miles off the coast of Tokyo, Japan, Google has announced a free Web-based tool that will help people locate friends and loved ones. The massive earthquake — one of the largest ever recorded — struck overnight and was following by a series of intense aftershocks. Tsunamis measuring over 20-feet tall were triggered, and the power of the tremendous quakes will send massive waves all the way to the west coast of the U.S. and beyond. Google’s Person Finder tool is already home to over 7,000 records, intended to help those with friends and family in affected regions locate loved ones with whom they may have lost contact. Hundreds have already been confirmed dead in Japan and many more have been reported missing. Our thoughts are with those affected and we urge readers to provide any aid possible if they are in a position to do so.
