The Japanese Meteorological Agency said Sunday that it has upgraded to 9.0 the magnitude of the massive earthquake that struck Japan over the weekend. Earlier, the agency said the earthquake measured 8.8 on the Richter Scale. Already the most powerful quake to hit Japan since records have been kept over 100 years ago, the latest quake was one of the largest ever in the world. 03/13/2011 A massive earthquake has hit the north-east of Japan, triggering a tsunami that has caused extensive damage. Japanese television showed cars, ships and even buildings being swept away by a vast wall of water after the 8.9-magnitude earthquake. The quake has sparked fires in several areas including Tokyo, and numerous casualties are feared. It struck about 250 miles (400km) from the capital at a depth of 20 miles. There have been powerful aftershocks. The tremor hit at 1446 local time (0546 GMT). Seismologists say it is one of the largest earthquakes to hit Japan for many years. The tsunami warning was extended to the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Pacific coast of Russia and Hawaii. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the wave could extend as far as Chile. Tsunami waves hit Japan’s Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, officials said. Japan's NHK television showed a massive surge of debris-filled water sweeping away buildings, cars and ships and reaching far inland. The earthquake also triggered a number of fires, including one at an oil refinery in Ichihara city in Chiba prefecture