Multi Hazardous And Developed Country Earthquake(Tohoku, Japan) Flashcards
When did the Tohoku earthquake take place?
On the 11th March 2011
Where did the earthquake hit and what was its magnitude?
A 9 magnitude earthquake struck 70km from the coast of Sendai Bay.
How is this a multi hazardous event?
A huge tsunami followed the earthquake, devastating the east coast of Japan, specifically the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima.
What was Japan’s GDP in 2018?
4.97 Trillion USD
What were the primary effects of the earthquake?
-Damage and deaths(Around 700 people)
-Cost of 235 billion USD(Costliest natural disaster in history)
-30 homes and buildings destroyed and 1000 were damaged.
-Two nuclear power stations suffered fractures.
-roads and railways were badly damaged.
-The fujunuma Dam failed and collapsed after the earthquake destroying 5 houses and killing 4 people
-minor liquefaction of the ground(damaging infrastructure)
What were the secondary effects of the earthquake?
-A huge tsunami with waves up to 40 metres hit the eastern coast of Japan.
-15,900 people died 2,600 missing and 6,150 injured due to the tsunami.
-450,000 people were left homeless.
-many lost jobs after 120,000 buildings were completely destroyed
-Fukushima nuclear power plant was very badly damaged(Radioactive contamination)
Short term responses?
-Tsunami warnings were issued 3 minutes after the earthquake.
-100,000 members of the Japan self defence force were dispatched to help in the search and rescue operations.
-Japan received help from US military and international search and rescue teams.
-Hundreds of thousands of people who had lost their homes or were evacuated used temporary shelters set up in schools.
-People within close proximity of the nuclear power plant had their radiation levels checked and health monitored to ensure they are safe.
What are the long-term planning responses to the earthquake?
-Earthquake drills every year in schools and also held in workplaces.
-Emergency services are specially trained in earthquake response methods.
-Government funding and policies for future earthquake hazards.
What are the long-term preparation responses to the earthquake?
-Buildings are designed to be ‘earthquake proof’ built to withstand huge tremors.(87% of buildings in Japan)
-Larger sea walls have been constructed to block tsunami waves.
-Earthquake and tsunami warning alerts are sent to every smartphone in japan.
-Many people have earthquake survival kits.
What are the long-term prediction responses to the earthquake?
-technology in Japan that can predict the areas where an earthquake will hit
-Buoys in the ocean detect offshore earthquakes and predict the areas most at risk.
-Tsunamis can be quickly predicted in Japan using data from the magnitude and location, prioritising areas for evacuation.
