Restless Earth - [CASE STUDY] Earthquake in an MEDC

Question 1

What is the example?

Answer 1

Kobe, Japan.

Question 2

What plate margin does Kobe lie on?

Answer 2

It is a destructive plate margin between the Eurasian and Philippine Sea Plate.

Question 3

When was the Earthquake?

Answer 3

January 1995 in the early morning (5:46am).

Question 4

How many people lived in the affected area?

Answer 4

10 million people.

Question 5

What did the Earthquake measure on the Richter scale?

Answer 5

6.9.

Question 6

How far was the focus below the crust?

Answer 6

Only 16km, making it a shallow focus.

Question 7

What were the effects of the Earthquake?

Answer 7

They were catastrophic for an MEDC:

• >5,000 died.
• 300,000 made homeless.
• >102,000 buildings destroyed.
• Estimated cost to rebuild the basics was £100 billion.
• Over 300 fires which took over 2 days to put out.

Question 8

Why was the centre the worst affected area?

Answer 8

Because it was built on easily moving ground which liquified, allowing buildings to collapse and sink.

This included the main docks and port area.

Question 9

What were some of the responses to the Earthquake?

Answer 9

• Water, electricity, gas and telephone services were fully restored by July 1995.
• Railways were back in service by August 1995.
• A year after the earthquake, 80% of the port was working.
• By January 1999, 134,000 housing units had been constructed but still people were living in temporary accomodation.
• New laws passed to make buildings and transport structures more earthquake proof.
• More monitoring instruments installed.
• Aid was refused, Japan dealt with the earthquake itself.