1.2 Kobe Earthquake [HIC]

Question 1

Social Impacts

Answer 1

6432 deaths
300,000 made homeless
300 fires broke out -> 7000 homes destroyed and 500 dead

Question 2

Economic Impacts

Answer 2

$200 bn in damages
Railways, roads and bridges destroyed
1 million households without utilities.
Port was wrecked, huge effect on Kobe's economy
    -5% of Japans GDP

Question 3

Date/Time/Place

Answer 3

17th January 1995 at 05:46 am

Kobe, Bay of Osaka

Question 4

Tectonic Movement

Answer 4

Oceanic Philippine plate subducted under Continental Eurasian plate causing EQ.

Question 5

Liquefaction

Answer 5

Shock waves caused liquefaction in the port. Major flooding due to water being pushed up from sediment sinking. Esp. bad due to proximity to focus.

Question 6

Short Term Responses

Answer 6

Took army 5 hours to mobilise
Firefighters unable to control fires due to wooden buildings and inexperience
Drills were ineffective as people were still asleep

Question 7

Long Term Responses

Answer 7

Utilities repaired by July 1995
Railways in service by August 1995
Port in action after one year
4 years later 150,000 houses constructed
       -however many still in temp. housing
Legislation to EQ proof more buildings

Question 8

Management Rating Overall

Answer 8

FAILURE -
Too many deaths for HIC
EQ proof buildings failed
     -old wooden buildings were lethal
Poor response by government
     -too slow
HOWEVER - 
No reaction time as it was early morning
Good long term recovery

Question 9

Details of the EQ

Answer 9

7.2 Richter Scale

Epicentre was at Northern Awaji Island, in Osaka Bay. 20 km underground.