Meltdown fears...Japanese volcano erupts...NJ floodwaters receding

9&10News KORIYAMA, Japan (AP) — Japanese authorities are working to keep temperatures down in a series of nuclear reactors today, including one where officials fear a partial meldown could be taking place. More than 170,000 people have been evacuated as a precaution from the northeast coastal region devasted by Friday's earthquake and tsunami. The government says the amount of radioactivity released into the environment so far has been small.

TAGAJO, Japan (AP) — Temperatures have began to sink toward freezing in northeastern Japan, compounding the misery for survivors coping without water, electricity or proper food in the region battered by Friday's tsunami. Japanese troops today rescued one survivor about 10 miles offshore. The tsunami had swept the 60-year-old man out to sea as he clung to the roof of his home. Officials say at least 1,200 are known to have died in the disaster, and the final toll could go far higher.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Rain-swollen waterways in northern New Jersey are slowly receding after cresting overnight, but flooding is still a concern. The National Weather Service says the Passaic (puh-SAY'-ihk) River crested at four feet above flood stage in Little Falls and about three feet over flood stage in Pine Brook last night. While flooding wasn't as severe as predicted, it's still considered major.

See also: Earth's Magnetic Field Takes Solar Beating As Quakes Rock Japan , Moment of Japan Earthquake Caught On Cameras Triggering 10m Tsunami , Deaths, tsunamis feared as massive 8.9 Mag Quake hits JapanFour Continents on Tsunami Alert

Fifteen 6.0+ Magnitude Aftershocks Strike Japan , Massive Tsunami Devastates Japan , Hawaii Braces for Huge Wave, US West Coast On Alert, Fastest Solar Flare Since 2005 Impacts Earth

Five large flares on the Sun cause a NOAA radio event alert II , X-class solar flare blasts away from the Sun , Massive 6.0+ Mag Aftershocks After 7.2 Mag Quake , 24 dead as quake topples homes in SW China

"Brace yourself for more severe weather, earthquakes, and volcanic activity for next 8-10 days."- Watcher's Lamp warning from Thursday, March 10, 2011.

See more: Solar Storms + Weak Magnetic Field = Disasters , Is cosmic and solar radiation wreaking havoc on the Earth? , Sun and Moon Trigger Deep Tremors on San Andreas FaultEarth's Core, Magnetic Field Changing Fast

Learn more here about the coming solar storm and the potential impact upon the earth