Japan Case Study 2011 Flashcards
Where is Japan located?
On the eastern edge of the Eurasian plate, next to the Pacific plate
What was the date? And what was the magnitude of earthquake?
-Wednesday 9 March 2011
-7.2 on the richter scale
As a result of the first earthquake, what was the magnitude of the second in Tohoku?
9.0 on the richter scale on the 11 March
Where was the tsunami concentrated?
On a limited stretch on the coastline of Sendai
What caused the tsunami? [2]
-The epicentre was located under the sea floor, leading to all the water suddenly being pushed vertically
-Therefore surged away in all directions at a speed of 500 mph
How long did it take for the water to reach the coast of Japan?
10 minutes
Why were the waves so high?
The water was shallow, resulting in friction between the seabed and the lower part of the wave. This holds back the wave , causing it to build higher and higher
What were some of the impacts of the tsunami and subsequent crisis at Fukushima? [5]
-45,700 buildings destroyed
-300 hospitals damaged
-1.5 million households without water, and 4.4 million without electricity
-People within 20km of Fukushima, ordered to leave
-Almost 16,000 deaths, 6000 injured, 5000 missing
What happened at the Fukushima power plant?
-Key safety systems failed, causing explosions and increasing releases of radiation
-Higher than normal radiation levels were registered as far away as Tokyo
-Locals had to be evacuated
