CASE STUDY, Japan

Question 1

Where was the epi-centre of the earthquake?

Answer 1

80 miles east of Sendai in the North Pacific ocean.

Question 2

3 key facts about Japan and the earthquake

Answer 2

1. 75% of Japan is mountains and volcanoes, forces people to live in hazardous zones

2.The earthquake was a 9.0 magnitude

3. It happened in 2011

Question 3

Explain the earthquake in terms of the PAR model.

Answer 3

Progression of vulnerability, densely populated in the hazardous regions, well prepared(aseismic buildings, PTWS) making them relatively resilient.

However, Sendai is a poorer area with poorly made buildings+ many live on coast as its a fishing town.

Question 4

What were the causes of the earthquake?

Answer 4

-Rupture in the subduction zone between Pacific and North American plate boundaries.

-Caused ocean floor to rise, creating a powerful tsunami

Question 5

What were the 4 main primary impacts?

Answer 5

1. Over 18,000 died

2.Over 300,00 buildings destroyed

3.Some coastal areas experienced aprox 50cm subsidence

4.Japan moved 2.4m closer to North America

Question 6

What were the 3 main secondary impacts?

Answer 6

1. Most expensive natural disaster in history, $235b

2.Fukushima, nuclear power station had a meltdown, radiation over 8 times larger than normal

3. Tsunami with 40m waves

Question 7

What were the 2 main short-term responses?

Answer 7

1.Scientists able to successfully predict tsunami location so they evacuated the area.

2.Red Cross send food water shelter etc

Question 8

What were the 2 main long-term responses?

Answer 8

1.Help schemes for grieving familys

2.Earthquake drills in schools/workplaces

3.Avoid new building on flat coastal areas (out tsunamis way)