The magnitude 8.9 earthquake slammed Japan's eastern coast Friday, unleashing a 13-foot tsunami that swept boats, cars, buildings and tons of debris miles inland.

The quake was 4.8 miles (7.7 km) deep and struck in the sea near the east coast of Honshu, the largest Island in Japan, the USGS said.

The 8.9 magnitude quake struck Friday off Japan's eastern coast, and prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific as far away as South America and the U.S. West coast.