TOKYO — An 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on Friday, the strongest ever recorded in the country and one of the largest anywhere in the last century. The quake churned up a devastating tsunami that swept over cities and farmland in the northern part of the country and set off warnings as far away as the West Coast of the United States and South America.

Horrific news today. Here’s how you can help (Via @jkottke):

Japanese earthquake relief: text REDCROSS to 90999 on your mobile phone to donate $10 to the Red Cross. More info here: [http://bit.ly/dH3FrN](http://bit.ly/dH3FrN)