Japan Tsunami

Question 1

Cause

Answer 1

Japan at meeting point of 4 tectonic plates

N American plate dragged by subducting Pacific - slipper 5-10 metres upwards

9.0

10 waves, 1km apart
Slowed and piled up = overwhelmed tsunami defence walls (10m)
Surged inland 10km

Question 2

Primary effects

Answer 2

25,000 dead/missing

Coastal suffered e.g. Minami-Sanriki 1/2 population dead

Ground shaking = buildings
•Ichihara oil refinery = fuel tanks exploded
•Tokyo skyscrapers good design = less damage

Question 3

Secondary effects

Answer 3

1/2 million homeless
- 150,000 temporary shelters for weeks

1 million homes no running water

Explosions/radiation leaks @ Fukishima nuclear = global fear + panic selling across global stock markets

Question 4

Immediate responses

Answer 4

Rescue workers
•100,000 soldiers = distribute resources

Aid from USA/China

UK 63 fire service search = rescued people trapped for several days

Exclusion zone around Fukishima + iodine tablets = prevent radiation sickness

No reports of looting/violence

Question 5

Long term responses

Answer 5

Tsunami defences inadequate = future emergency planning needed

• settlement rebuilt in affected areas?
• tsunami defences built?

Already most indebted industry/repairs from government borrowing/private companies
- developed, rich country = can recover

Question 6

Date

Answer 6

11th March 2011