Earthquake largest ever to hit JapanThe

SYDNEY, March 11 (AAP) - 8.9-magnitude earthquake which ravaged Japan and sparked a tsunami is the largest quake to ever hit the country, an Australian expert says.Kevin McCue, a seismologist and adjunct professor at Central Queensland University based in Canberra, said seven earthquakes over magnitude eight had rocked Japan since 1891.In 1923 a 7.9-magnitude earthquake killed 147,00 people, Mr McCue said.But the massive 8.9-magnitude quake on Friday superseded all of them."Our expectation is that many people will be killed and there will be extensive damage," Mr McCue said in a statement."Fortunately for Tokyo it's a bit further north than the great Kanto (1923) earthquake was, which means the damage in Tokyo is likely to be much less."Mr McCue said a Pacific-wide tsunami has been generated and would impact other countries in the north pacific in coming hours.Co-director of the Australian Tsunami Research Centre, Professor James Goff said the earthquake would test Japan's building code, tsunami warning system and evacuation plans."Japan has a rigorous earthquake building code and excellent tsunami warning system and evacuation plans," he said."This event will likely provide a severe test for all of them."Australia's Bureau of Meteorology says there is no tsunami threat for Australia