Deck 6d - Tectonics: Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Question 1

What year was the Japan earthquake?

Answer 1

2011

Question 2

What hazards were caused by the Japan earthquake?

Answer 2

Ground shaking, tsunami

Question 3

What type of plate boundary is Japan on and which tectonic plates are involved?

Answer 3

Destructive plate boundary- Pacific and Eurasian plates

Question 4

Why is Japan prone to earthquakes?

(FREQUENCY)

Answer 4

Subduction of the denser oceanic Pacific plate beneath the continental Eurasian plate to the east of the Japan has created the volcanic arc islands that make up Japan. This subduction leads to a build up of pressure that results in earthquakes occurring in an oceanic trench off the coastline of Japan. These submarine earthquakes can trigger tsunamis. However, large tsunamis are infrequent in this area.

Question 5

What magnitude was the Japan earthquake and what depth did it occur at?

(MAGNITUDE)

Answer 5

9.0 MMS, shallow focus (8km)

Question 6

What was the duration of the Japan earthquake?

(DURATION)

Answer 6

The earthquake lasted approximately 6 minutes.

Question 7

What signs were there before the Japanese earthquake and tsunami?

(PREDICTABILITY)

Answer 7

Nationwide tsunami warning system however, the authorities expected a smaller earthquake that would not have triggered the tsunami.

Question 8

What area did the Japan earthquake and tsunami impact?

(AREAL EXTENT)

Answer 8

The largest impacts were felt on the South East Coast of Japan.

Question 9

What was the GNI of Japan during the earthquake?

(ECONOMIC vulnerability)

Answer 9

$46,880

Question 10

What was the level of technology available in Japan during the earthquake and tsunami?

(ECONOMIC vulnerability)

Answer 10

Very high level of technology and the best earthquake proof buildings in the world.

Question 11

How educated were the Japanese population about the risks of earthquakes and tsunamis prior to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami?

(SOCIO-ECONOMIC vulnerability)

Answer 11

Excellent level of education throughout the country which is free and compulsory.

Question 12

What was the population structure of Japan before the earthquake?

(SOCIAL vulnerability)

Answer 12

-Ageing population (29.18% 65+ years)
-High population density (340.8 persons per square kilometre) with 92% living in urban areas

Question 13

What time and date did the Japan earthquake take place?

(SOCIAL vulnerability)

Answer 13

14:45 on March 11th 2011

Question 14

What is the Japanese government view on earthquake management?

(POLTICAL vulnerability)

Answer 14

Stable government that was quick to respond to the event. The government has invested heavily in tectonic hazard management

Question 15

What are the economic impacts of the Japan earthquake?

Answer 15

-US$235 billion making it the most expensive natural disaster in history
-Global impact on trade
-Huge decommissioning costs of nuclear industries
-All of Japan’s ports closed with 10% of the fishing ports damaged
-Widespread damage to toads, railways and a dam collapsed

Question 16

What are the social/demographic impacts of the Japan earthquake?

Answer 16

-15,800 dead
-27,000 injured
-4.4 million households without electricity
-1.5 million without water
-130,000 buildings collapsed
-Evacuation of Fukushima area (30km radius)

Question 17

What are the environmental impacts of the Nepal earthquake?

Answer 17

-Radioactive contamination of Pacific Ocean and Fukushima area
-Flooding of ecosystems

Question 18

How prepared was Japan for the earthquake?

Answer 18

-Early Warning system included sending messages to TVs and mobile phones
-Construction of earthquake proof buildings
-Sea walls and tsunami barriers were in place but were too short to prevent the waves from overtopping them

Question 19

What was the response (short term) to the Japan earthquake?

Answer 19

-100,000 people took part in disaster relief mission with the Japanese Red Cross mobilising 230 emergency service teams
-Shelters set up in schools and medical and emotional support provided
-Exclusion zone set up around Fukushima (30km)

Question 20

What was the recovery (long term) to the Japan earthquake?

Answer 20

-Support was provided to fishing industries and emotional support to victims
-Government spent 32 trillion yen ($295 billion) on construction of roads, seawalls and houses
-Tokyo Electric Power Co. decommissioned nuclear power station and the country switched to fossil fuels and renewables (mostly due to negative public opinion of nuclear power)

Question 21

What was the mitigation after the Japan earthquake?

Answer 21

-Continued investment in tectonic management infrastructure
-Sea wall height was increased by 1 metre