Case study: Tohoku Flashcards
Where is tokoku?
Japan
What took place?
an earthquake which then created a tsunami
How far did the earthquake move japan closer to north america?
2.4 metres
Why did the tsunami make fires break out?
broken gas pipes and destroyed electricity lines
How big was the area that was flooded?
500km squared
How many people died/ went missing
18,000
How many people were left homeless?
500,000
How many homes were left without clean water?
1 million
How many aftershocks took place after the original earthquake?
700
What was the cause of the earthquake?
there is a trench in japan due to subduction : the pacific plate presses down on the continential plate and pressure builds up
What was the cause of the tsunami?
the convergent boundary of the Pacific plate was in the ocean
How many earthquakes take place each year and how much of the worlds earthquakes are in Japan
1,500 a year, 1/3 of the world earthquakes
What was the human factor that increased their vulnerability?
its a densely populated area and places are overcrowded
How much did it cost the government?
$300 billion
What was the magnitude of the earthquake?
9
Why do people have acceptance and continue to live there?
children are taught to run underneath tables and put a helmet on when they feel shaking , tsunami warning systems and earthquake proof buildings
What NGOs focus on?
rescuing people and taking survivors to crowded shelters
What has the government done recently as a response?
upgraded the tsunami warning system in 2013
When did it take place?
March 2011