Tohoku Tsunami 2011 Flashcards
date
11th March 2011
where did it take place?
72km off coast of Sendai (epicentre)
richter scale of eathquake
7.2
why vulnerable?
old oceanic crust was thought to readily slide into mantle (only expected small earthquakes)
population displacement
> 33,000 still live in temporary accommodation, including those staying with friends/family or in hotels. >500 remain in evacuation centres, still waiting for compensation
-they want to remain close to their original homes
resettlement
- either build higher sea walls or rebuild communities on higher land.
- sea walls are costly and unsightly. but moving communities can have long term traumatic effects, when people need familiar support to recover.
- japan has limited habitable space for relocation and there are legal and funding problems
- ageing population= should housing be built for young or old?
development of sky villages
- elevated land based islands have been designed to farm towns in affected regions
- 3-story island bolted into bedrock with steel pillars and oval shaped to force water to flow around it
divide living and water places in NE Japan
people would live higher places inland whilst working in the coastal areas because these areas are still effective and important for ports, fishing and commercial activities
waste disposal
- 25 million tonnes of wreckage were created in the 3 worst hit areas alone, raising risk of contamination to soil, rivers and groundwater.
- although most rubble has been cleared, only 5% been disposed and 72% still being stored at temporary sites
- lack of sites for incineration= fears of radiation contamination
finance and business
- reconstruction agency $300 billion over 10 years for rebuilding=increasing national debt
- parliament voted to cut government salaries as well as issuing tax incentives for businesses to relocate in earthquake zones
- if societies relocate inland, people will have to start new businesses that aren’t dependent on water ($)
social effects
- 16,000 know deaths
- 3000 missing
- evacuations due to power plant failing (Fukushima)
- people within 30km told to stay indoors due to radiation
economic effects
- Fukushima power plant flooded
- 3 nuclear units experienced meltdown
- cost of disaster = 16.9 trillian yen
environmental effects
- > 130,000 buildings destroyed
- 26.7 million debris
why did it take so long for the reconstruction agency to be established?
controversy regarding intentions of PM Kan and how to pay for recovery
physical factors affecting recovery
- good land in short supply (mountainous region)
- already temporary housing for tsunami refugees across the region
