Geography - The Restless Earth - Tsunami - Japan CASE STUDY

Japan 2011 Tsunami CASE STUDY

Causes · The Pacific plate sub-ducted underneath the Eurasian Plate which caused a large build up of pressure. · This large amount of pressure eventually released, causing the Eurasian plate to spring back upwards. · This displaced a massive vertical column of water upwards · This massive column of water splits in two, with one heading out to sea and the other towards land · As the plate margin the water is merely a ripple however as it travels outwards and nears the mainland of Japan it gains height. · The wave’s height reaches up to 10m as it reaches shallower water.

Primary Effects · The sea wall protect the coast were not high enough and many were destroyed · Around 16,000 people died as a result of the quake and tsunami, 95% of these deaths were by drowning · 26,000 people were injured and 4,000 were missing. · 582 roads were cut off and 32 bridges were destroyed · Many animals died after the tsunami · Many building, bridges and automobiles were washed away · At Fukushima the subsequent tsunami disabled emergency generators required to cool the reactors. · Over the following three weeks there was evidence of a partial nuclear meltdown in units 1, 2 and 3; visible explosions, suspected to be caused by hydrogen gas, in units 1 and 3; a suspected explosion in unit 2, that may have damaged the primary containment vessel; and a possible uncovering of the units 1, 3 and 4 spent fuel pools. · Radiation releases caused large evacuations, concern over food and water supplies, and treatment of nuclear workers · 500km2 coastal plains hit, destroying farmland, settlements and communications · Ruptured gas pipes led to fires

Secondary Effects · The cost of recovery was $235 billion, the most expensive natural disaster ever · Food Shortages were caused by the destruction of the crop fields · Many people were left homeless

Short-Term Responses · Over 100,00 Japanese soldiers were used in search and rescue · An exclusion zone was set up around the Fukushima nuclear plant and people were forced to evacuate · Search and rescue teams were mobilised and so were medical teams, 30 helicopters were assigned to help the recue and relief effort. They also distributed food, water, blankets etc. · Sports centres and other large building were opened for displaced people to sleep in · Electricity supplies were fixed · The Defense Ministry sent in eight fighter jets to check the damage. · Specialist search and rescue teams flown in from overseas · 91 countries sent aid to help the country, from blankets and food to search dogs and military transport. · Over £200 million was raised to help in the first week

Long Term Responses · The massive clean-up effort took a many months · Huge areas had to be rebulit · Many people had to rebuild their lives after the quake and tsunami · Preparation and planning in the country increased, eg school drills, earthquake, survival gear, disaster parks. · Engineering developed even more eg earthquake proof building (The Sky Tree) · Sea Walls were rebuilt much larger and to be more effective