Earthquake Case Study: Tohoku 2011 (Developed Country)

Question 1

Name and locate the Tohoku earthquake:

Answer 1

The earthquake struck off the north-east coast of Honshu, Japan, on March 11, 2011.

Question 2

What caused the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami?

Answer 2

Subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the North American Plate at a destructive boundary.

Magnitude: 9.0.

Question 3

What are the key facts about Japan’s resilience to earthquakes?

Answer 3

Strict building codes.

Advanced warning systems.

Earthquake drills and education.

Question 4

What makes Japan vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis?

Answer 4

High population density.

Coastline close to subduction zones.

Ageing population (less able to evacuate).

Question 5

What were the responses to the Tohoku earthquake?

Answer 5

Short-term: Search and rescue, temporary shelters, international aid.

Long-term: Rebuilding infrastructure, stricter nuclear regulations, improved tsunami barriers.

Question 6

What were the secondary impacts of the Tohoku earthquake?

Answer 6

Tsunami caused nuclear meltdown at Fukushima.

Economic losses: $235 billion.

Question 7

What were the primary impacts of the Tohoku earthquake?

Answer 7

16,000 deaths.

Buildings and infrastructure destroyed.