Casestudy: Japan, Tōhoku AC Earthquake

Question 1

How many earthquakes do Japan experience daily?

Answer 1

400

Question 2

Why are Tsunamis prevalent in Japan?

Answer 2

Japans earthquakes generate vast amounts of seismic energy.
Movement along offshore plate boundaries create this risk

Question 3

Why is the Pacific coastal zone especially vulnerable to tsunamis

Answer 3

The Pacific coastal zone is densely populated, containing 3 major conurbations:
Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya

Question 4

What is another name for the Tōhoku earthquake?

Answer 4

The Great East Japan Earthquake

Question 5

When did the Tōhoku earthquake occur?

Answer 5

11 March 2011

Question 6

What MW (Moment Magnitude Scale) was Tōhoku?

Answer 6

9.0 MW

Question 7

What caused the Tōhoku earthquake?

Answer 7

A 9.0 MW earthquake occurring along the boundary between the Pacific and North American plates.

Question 8

How far did Tsunamis travel inland?

Answer 8

10km

Question 9

How many people did the 2011 tsunami kill and injure?

Answer 9

Nearly 16000 were killed and a further 6000 were injured.

Question 10

List the social impacts of the Tōhoku tsunami

Answer 10

• 16000 killed
• 2000 young people were orphaned or lost a parent
• Mass mortality and crematorium destruction led to mass burial of bodies
• Destruction of infrastructure was so large there is still rebuilding over 10 years later.
• Communities were relocated or displaced and haven’t returned

Question 11

What was the economic cost of the Tōhoku earthquake?

Answer 11

$200 billion (and up to 5x that amount)

Question 12

Why is the cost of the Tōhoku earthquake still increasing?

Answer 12

Reconstruction is still occurring and there are concerns over the future cost of storing the nuclear waste after clearing the Fukushima Daiichi site.

Question 13

How many buildings where destroyed or damaged

Answer 13

• 45700 buildings destroyed
• 143000 damaged

Question 14

What was arguably the most significant economic impact from the Tōhoku earthquake?

Answer 14

The disruption of power supplies.
4.4 million households lost electricity due to 11 powerplants going down.
This lasted for 7 weeks for 3-4 hours at a time

Question 15

List some economic effects of the Tōhoku earthquake

Answer 15

• Reconstruction costing over $200B
• 4/15 ports directly effected completely destroyed
• Storage cost for nuclear wastes
• Agriculture affected by seawater making land uncultivable
• Power outage for several weeks lasting 3-4 hours at a time
• Transport infrastructure destroyed.
• Stock market fell due to electricity shortage affecting industry
• Exports interrupted

Question 16

What was the political consequence of the Tōhoku earthquake?

Answer 16

• The Japanese government put billions of yen into the economy, especially the finance sector to return stability, increasing government debt.
• There were protests against nuclear power concerning safety standards and regulation.
  Plans to recommission were rejected as a result.
• Political fallout spread and was used as a case study in an anti-nuclear lobby in Western Europe

Question 17

Why are Japan better adapted to deal with earthquakes compared to Haiti?

Answer 17

Japan has economic wealth, accompanied by a stable education and political environment.
This enables Japan to cope with constant threats of high magnitude seismic events

Question 18

What is meant by modifying vulnerability in Japanese seismic events?

Answer 18

Developing an advanced level of preparedness to deal with seismic hazards.

Question 19

List the mitigation strategies Japan has for seismic events

Answer 19

• Research and monitoring by the JMA (Japanese meteorological agency)
• Aseismic building design
• Fire-proofing
• Land use zoning and refuge sites
• Preparing communities.

Question 20

Explain how research and monitoring by the JMA is a mitigation strategy for seismic events in Japan.

Answer 20

• The JMA (Japanese Meterological Agency) has the responsibility of monitoring seismic events as well as providing information and warnings for earthquake and tsunami events.
• Detailed disaster planning includes a wide range of organisations such as government, medical services, fire, military, transport, power and telecommunications.

Question 21

What are examples of aseismic building designs in Japan?

Answer 21

• Steel frames and braces capable of moving without collapse installed
• Foundations are built deep into solid rock and contain rubber shock absorbers.
• A ‘soft-storey’ is located at the base of tall buildings which allow upper floors to sink.
• Roofs have counter weights that move during earthquakes
• Suspension bridges are constructed rather than rigid designs.
• Underground utility pipes are built with flexible joints.
• Fireproofing historic buildings