Well a lot of people don't like to donate but when they can get something in return (even if it is a cheap thing like a wristband) they cross faster the line of 'to donate or not'...And I think they will get more money this way.

There are few locations in the world that aren't prone to some kind of natural disaster, and some people just really don't have a choice.

Well, they did say the tremors could continue for months.  And frankly, I know its a sad event, but I don't think anyone should be surprised.  They've been preparing for this earthquake for almost 50 years, and it finally came.

In retrospect, I don't think places like California, Australia or South Africa would be as prepared for a major earthquake if it did come.

I think the one they were prepared for did not happen (or did not yet happaned)..and that is the one in Tokyo that normally comes every 80 years...(last one was in 1923)..

The earth is speaking. Hear.

No just kidding. All these earthquakes and tsunamis are interesting, though.

To be honest the entire Pacific rim is prone to Tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanoes. It's unfortunate really.

Also this earthquake is no surprise at all. In fact it's still quite likely there will be a bigger aftershock to come, generally there is an aftershock one magnitude less than the orginal so an aftershock of around 8 is still reasonably likely.

Everyone lives in disaster prone areas.  I remember a lot of comments with a similar tone about my city after Katrina.  I started to agree with them, until I saw videos of tornadoes ripping through the mideast without only a few minutes of warning, or heard about 110 degree temperatures in Arizona.  Then there's all the talk of California falling into the ocean one day when they get their own 9.0 earthquake.

The world's a rough place in general lol.

OT:  Really bites for Japan.  It's crazy how it all happens at once.  You never know one the big one(s) will hit.

What major natural disasters could happen in the UK?

Nothing too major, as far as I know, but I hear all that rain can be annoying.  :P

Western Europe is pretty well safe, as is Appalachia in the USA (away from east coast hurricanes and Midwest tornadoes). Argentina and South Africa are pretty much the only others that aren't prey to natural disasters or hazards (if we count extreme heat and extreme cold as disasters, if we don't, many parts of the Middle East as well as Siberia and Scandinavia open up)