Japanese Tsunami Flashcards
When did the Japanese tsunami occur ?
Match 11 2011
Where did the earthquake that triggered the tsunami occur ?
Off the north east coast of Japan in Pacific Ocean.
Which city was worst affected ?
Sendai
Why did earthquake occur?
Because Japan lies between the Eurasian plate and Pacific plate
2 plates moving towards each other at destructive PB
Form of prediction as most earthquakes occur here
Eurasian …
Continental
Pacific …
Oceanic
What happens when Eurasian and Pacific plate meet?
They meet in Benioff zone in mantle.
Large build up of energy and tension due to friction of plates
Eventually released as EQ
How did the tsunami occur ?
As the earthquake happened the water on the ocean floor was displaced by movement of plate upwards.
Seabed lifted as a result and water on top has to find somewhere else to go so it forms giant wave.
Displaced water forms tsunami
What are waves like over the ocean ?
Small .
Rising only few cm.
Not noticed by passing boats.
Hard to see / predict
What’s the most obvious sign a tsunami is going to occur ?
Costal water retreats before the waves reach the shore.
Prediction
What happens when the waves teach shallower water?
Height increases.
Shallow water slows wave.
Waves get closer
Primary social effect
15,000 died
Homes destroyed.
Power/ gas / water likes disrupted.
Telephone connection cut off
Primary economic
Trains swept off tracks.
Air ports covered in mud.
Large towns were more than 1/3 submerged by waters and debris
Primary environmental
Dam burst it’s banks
Farmland destroyed
Secondary social
215,000 people living in government shelter.
Destruction to road/ rail made it hard for rescue teams.
4 million without power
1 million without water
Radiation exposure
