Kobe Flashcards
Cause
Japan lies on a destructive plate boundary, where two oceanic plates(Philippines and Pacific) are dipping underneath the Eurasian. The two plates create friction as they bend towards the mantle and so the pressure builds up. The pressure is released which creates a severe earthquake.
Short term impacts on the people
Over 40,000 were injured as buildings,roads and bridges collapsed
More than 150 fires spread through broken gas mains, killing hundreds
Short term impact on the environment
Liquefaction occurred, where water in clay rock below Kobe rose up turning it into mud and causing collapse of building.
90% of ports berths destroyed by liquefaction
Long term impacts on the people
Water,gas and electricity not fully restored for 6 months
Hanshin expressway was closed for over a year
Long term effect on the environment
On Awaji Island a landslide changed the shape of the fields
Predictions?
Increased spending on earthquake research and prediction. EG satellite images tracking slight mistakes in the earths crust.
Precaution
In Kobe modern buildings constructed after 1980’s could withstand an earthquake by having springs and rubber padding to absorb the shaking. Therefore buildings don’t collapse.
Immediate strategies after
Fire crews from Kobe and nearby Osaka put out fires
Long term strategies
Increased spending on research into earthquake, by satellite they hope to predict one by any detection of any distortion in the earths crust.
Date and size
1995 and 7.2
