Japan earthquake and tsunami Flashcards
When did it happen?
11th March 2011
What was the magnitude?
Around 9
Where was the epicentre?
Off the coast of Ofunato
Where did the tsunami hit first?
Ofunato
How many people died from falling buildings?
1500
How many people had no water?
1 million
How did Japan try to reduce the impacts of the earthquake?
-Building foundations made of rubber
-Automatic phone warning messages sent
-Warning system shut off gas to prevent fires
-Ceilings had weights on to counteract seismic waves
How did Japan try to reduce the impacts of the tsunami?
-40% of Japan’s coastline has sea walls of up to 10 meters high
-5.6 meter defence wall over the nuclear reactor
-Hazard agency gave people 20 mins to get to safety
-Warning centre monitored the tsunami waves
What percentage of people who died, died from drowning due to the tsunami
93%
How many people had to live in government shelters?
215,000
How long after the disaster were people still in temporary housing?
1 year
What responses were there to the disaster?
-Ambulances searched for trapped survivors
-People escaped to higher ground
-Uk sent search and rescue teams
Where do earthquakes occur?
Fault lines
How are earthquakes caused?
Friction causing energy on the fault lines which eventually rupture and release energy in shock waves
What airport was destroyed?
Sendai airport
