An 8.9-magnitude earthquake and series of major tsunamis struck Japan on Friday, generating an upswell of news and concern from users of social networks around the world.

"Our hearts go out to everyone Japan" was a frequent message on both Twitter and Facebook, joined by hundreds of similar tweets in the space of a few minutes after quake struck Friday afternoon local time about 230 miles northeast of Tokyo.

Japanese media reported that office workers were trying in vain to make calls over jammed cell phone networks. People were reportedly turning to Twitter to communicate with friends and family.

Television images on CNN showed waves exceeding 12 flowing inland and receding with massive debris.

A tsunami warning was in effect for the islands of Hawaii, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). However, the western coast of North America was in no immediate danger of a tsunami, saying that no warning, watch, or advisory was in effect for these areas. However,

"Earthquakes of this size are known to generate tsunamis potentially dangerous to coasts outside the source region," NOAA said in a statement. "The West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center is investigating the event to determine the level of danger. More information will be issued as it becomes available."

CNET's Ed Moyer contributed to this report.

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Steven Musil is the night news editor at CNET News. Before joining CNET News in 2000, Steven spent 10 years at various Bay Area newspapers. E-mail Steven.