tohoku earthquake 2011

Question 1

when did the earthquake occur?

Answer 1

march 2011

Question 2

where did the earthquake occur?

Answer 2

100km off of the east of japan

Question 3

what was the magnitude of the earthquake?

Answer 3

9.0

Question 4

how did a tsunami form from the earthquake?

Answer 4

as the pacific plate subducted, there was mass sea water displacement which casued a tsunami in all directions

Question 5

how did the warning system perform?

Answer 5

it kicked in minutes before the tsunami, giving people little time to escape

Question 6

how many waves were there in the tsunami?

Answer 6

10, 1km apart each

Question 7

how high did the waves reach?

Answer 7

10 metres

Question 8

how far into the island did the waves surge?

Answer 8

10km

Question 9

give 4 primary effects of both hazards

Answer 9

1. ground shaking caused buildings to collapse
2. the tsunami flooded an area of 500km squared
3. in Minami-Sanriku 17,000 were killed
4. over 18,000 were dead or missing in total

Question 10

give 5 secondary effects of both hazards

Answer 10

1. 500,000 were homeless,
2. with 150,000 in temporary shelter for weeks
3. over 6 million homes lost electricity
4. 1 million homes had no running water
5. 700 aftershocks caused further damage

Question 11

give 4 immediate responses

Answer 11

1. helicopter crews picked up stranded people on roofs and farmland
2. 100,000 soldiers were mobilised to establish order, perform aid and rescue
3. The UK sent 63 search and rescue specialists
4. offers of aid poured in including from the USA and China

Question 12

give 3 long term responses

Answer 12

1. in 2013, japan unveiled a new, upgraded tsunami system
2. planning for new flood defences is being considered
3. The government set up the reconstruction design council to plan a long term redevelopment, especially in the Tohoku region

Question 13

how much did the hazards cost Japan in total?

Answer 13

$300 billion USD, making it the most costly disaster ever