The tsunami wave measured

We have a little clearer picture today of just how large the tsunami was that devastated Japan after an earthquake nearly two weeks ago.

The Tokyo Electric Company, which operates the nuclear power station that’s been struggling with containing radiation therein, says the wave was 14 meters high — 42 feet — when it reached the plant’s parking lot.

But the Kyodo News Agency reports it reached 23.6 meters in the city of Ofunato — 77 feet.

How high is that? Imagine you’re standing at the corner of Wacouta and Sixth Street in the Lowertown section of St. Paul. Look up. That’s 77 feet.

wacouta_building.jpg

Seventy-seven cubic feet of water weighs more than two tons.

That helps to explain why we’re still blown away by the images of the aftermath: