Tohoku Earthquake Flashcards
When did the Tohoku earthquake happen
March 11, 2011
Magnitude?
9
How many people died
15,894 confirmed deaths
Any problems with nuclear power plants
A nuclear power plant had a level 7 meltdown and released radioactive materials.
Were there any after shocks
More than 5000 aftershocks hit throughout the year, the largest being 7.9 richter
More facts
The earthquake produced a low frequency rumble which was detected in space
Any tsunamis
The tsunami broke icebergs
E.g. the Sulzberger iceberg in Antarctica
Effects of earthquake
They underestimated the size of tsunami and earthquake.
Lots of buildings were crushed when earthquake hit.
Tsunami left lots of debris behind.
The responses
They upgraded tsunami defence system
They are finding ways to build stronger and more resident buildings.
They put detectors on fault lines to tell magnitudes and location of tsunami.
