The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 57.90 points (0.48 percent) to 11,986.50 and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite dropped 8.89 points (0.33 percent) to 2,706.72.

The S&P 500-stock index, a broader measure of the markets, shed 6.64 points (0.51 percent) at 1,297.64.

"The destruction of the magnitude 8.9 earthquake in Japan and the threat of a radiation leak following explosions at a nuclear facility in the nation continue to garner the Street's attention," Charles Schwab analysts said in a client note.

Wall Street stocks had proved resilient Friday after the quake and massive tsunami struck Japan, the world's third-largest economy.

The Dow gained 0.50 percent, the Nasdaq added 0.54 percent and the S&P 500 advanced 0.71 percent.