The first American known to have died from the recent natural disasters in Japan has been identified. Taylor Anderson, a 24-year-old teacher from Richmond, Virginia, is mourned by family back home.

“She was last seen after the powerful earthquake struck Japan on March 11, riding her bike away from the school where she taught after helping to get her students home. . . . ‘It is with deep regret that we inform you that earlier this morning we received a call from the U.S. Embassy in Japan that they had found our beloved Taylor’s body,’ the Anderson family wrote in a statement. ‘We would like to thank all those (whose)  prayers and support have carried us through this crisis.  Please continue to pray for all who remain missing and for the people of Japan.'”

Devastating tsunamis triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, in northern Japan on March 11,  caused great destruction, as did the earthquake itself. In addition, a nuclear power plant was disabled and leaking radiation.

Although not nearly as massive as the earthquake that hit Chile one year ago, Sunday’s shaker measured 7.1.

(CNN) The quake, which stuck around 5:20 p.m. (3:20 p.m. ET), was felt as far away as Santiago, roughly 595 km (370 miles) north of where the USGS said the quake occurred. The epicenter was more than 10 miles underground, the USGS said.

. . . people ran into the streets, but did not report any major damage. . . . The temblor cut some telephone and electricity lines, according to Chile’s national emergency office . . .

In February [2010], an 8.8-magnitude quake hit Chile near the nation’s second largest city, Concepcion, killing hundreds. Sunday’s quake struck roughly 100 miles south of Concepcion.