Tectonics Case Studies Flashcards
LIC Earthquake
Nepal 2015, between Indian and Eurasian plates, 7.8 magnitude
8600 killed, lost 25% of GDP
Himalayas= mountainous area= landslides
Weak infrastructure- not earthquake proof
Occurred in Kathmandu= densely populated
Volcanic eruption
Eyjafjallajokull eruption in Iceland 2010
Flights cancelled (clogged engines from ash)- 100K worldwide, 10 million passengers stranded
Pyroclastic flows- Jokullhaps due to melting of snow and ice causing flooding
Tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean
9-9.3 magnitude
300K dead
No warning systems
Epicentre close to communities
$10 billion costs
What are the secondary impacts of Tohoku earthquake?
On people
$235b economic costs
Tsunami- 40m high waves- 49% who did not follow warning were hit
Nuclear Power- 7 reactors at Fukushima nuclear power station experienced meltdown, radiation 8x the normal levels
Transport- rural remain isolated due to destroyed roads, Tohoku expressway damaged
On environment
Coastal changes- tsunami travelled further due to 250-mile coastline dropping by 0.6m
What are the primary impacts of Tohoku Earthquake?
On people
16k deaths, 26k injured, 130k displaced
330k+ buildings damaged, 4.4m homes without electricity
On Environment
Land movement- tectonic shift- moved Japan 2.4m closer to North America
Liquefaction- occurred in Tokyo where parts are built on reclaimed land
What are the key facts of Tohoku Earthquake?
9.0 magnitude on Richter Scale
North-East coast of Japan
About 250 miles from Tokyo
March 11, 2011, 3pm
Eastern edge of Eurasian Plate (continental) and subduction by Pacific Plate at destructive plate margin
20 miles below (shallow) Pacific Ocean surface leading to Tsunami
What are the short-term responses of Tohoku earthquake?
Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings 3 mins after earthquake
Scientists predicted location of areas at risk to tsunami
100k members of Japan’s Defence Force dispatched for search and rescue
Government gave 20km evacuation zone around Fukushima nuclear power plant
International help from US military, NZ, India etc
Those who lost homes evacuated to temporary shelters/ relocated
After Fukushima Daiichi nuclear meltdown, radiation levels checked of those who were exposed and given iodine tablets to reduce risk of radiation poisoning
What are the long term responses of Tohoku Earthquake?
Reconstruction Policy Council to reconstruct tsunami-resilient communities (budget of £190b spent over 10 years)
Coastal protection policy e.g. seawalls and breakwaters
By 24th March 2011, 375km of Tohoku Expressway repaired and reopened
Runway at Sendai Airport restored by 29th March
November 2011- 96% of electricity supply restored, 98% water, 99% landline network
