Seismic Hazards Case Study

Question 1

Where is Japan located that makes it susceptible for seismic hazards?

Answer 1

Meeting point - Eurasian, Pacific, Philippines
Destructive boundary

Question 2

Outline the frequency of Japan’s earthquakes

Answer 2

30% of world earthquakes annually

Question 3

When did the Tohoku earthquake & tsunami occur in Japan

Answer 3

March 2011

Question 4

Outline the Tohoku earthquake & tsunami events

Answer 4

Magnitude = 9.0
100km east of Sendai
400-500km NA plate subducted by Pacific - slipped up 5-10m = tsunami

Question 5

Outline the initial impact of the Tohoku tsunami

Answer 5

1st wave hit 3000km coastline 30mins after earthquake
Waves piled up - 1km height & 10km inland

Question 6

Outline 3 primary effects of the Tohoku earthquake & tsunami

Answer 6

1. 500km^2 flooded
2. > 18000 dead/missing
3. Buildings collapsed & ablaze from broken gas/petrol pipes

Question 7

Outline 3 secondary effects of the Tohoku earthquake & tsunami

Answer 7

1. 1/2 million homeless - 150,000 lived in temporary shelters
2. > 1mil no running H2O & >6mil no e-
3. > 700 aftershocks = more dmg

Question 8

Outline 3 short-term responses to the Tohoku earthquake & tsunami

Answer 8

1. 100K soldiers mobilised - provide aid & organise rescue
2. UK - 63 search & rescue specialist
3. Exclusion of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant + I2 tablets for radiation sickness

Question 9

Outline 3 long-term responses for the Tohoku earthquake & tsunami

Answer 9

1. 2013 new tsunami warning system to not underestimate
2. Council made special reconstruction zones in Tohoku - used tax incentive
3. Prior 2011 - nuclear 30% Japan e- Increased use on fossil fuels -> 2016 nuclear reactors licensed

Question 10

Outline ‘The Great Hanshin earthquake’ in Kobe Japan (date, magnitude and epicentre)

Answer 10

17th January 1995
6.8 magnitude
Epicentre 20km away from central city

Question 11

Why were the people of Kobe vulnerable to the earthquake before it occurred? (4 reasons)

Answer 11

1. ‘Illusion of preparedness’ - well prepared & wealthy
2. Older traditional buildings with heavy tiles - killed many
3. City hadn’t experienced a serious earthquake in 400yrs - no supplies
4. Government slow to react & poor

Question 12

Outline the impacts of the Kobe earthquake (death toll, damages, etc)

Answer 12

Death toll = >6,000
Injured = >35,000
Made homeless = about 250k
Damage cost = $100bn
Only 3% buildings insured - financial ruin

Question 13

Outline 5 responses made to the Kobe earthquake

Answer 13

1. e- power, gas, H2O, communication, transport restored in months
2. 48,000 housing units supplied for 20% population
3. 70% port operations restored in 1 year
4. Debris removed & 60% reused for landfill
5. Manufacturing 96% increase in 15 months

Question 14

Outline the 6 lessons to be learnt from the Kobe earthquake aftermath

Answer 14

1. Improved seismic resistance of existing buildings
2. Improve fire fighting capacity
3. Protecting lifelines (backup systems)
4. Community participation (awareness/education)
5. NGOs (flexible)
6. Disaster-resistant measures (firebreaks)