CASE STUDY, Japan Flashcards
Earthquake, HIC (8 cards)
Where was the epi-centre of the earthquake?
80 miles east of Sendai in the North Pacific ocean.
3 key facts about Japan and the earthquake
- 75% of Japan is mountains and volcanoes, forces people to live in hazardous zones
2.The earthquake was a 9.0 magnitude
- It happened in 2011
Explain the earthquake in terms of the PAR model.
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.
What were the causes of the earthquake?
-Rupture in the subduction zone between Pacific and North American plate boundaries.
-Caused ocean floor to rise, creating a powerful tsunami
What were the 4 main primary impacts?
- 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
What were the 3 main secondary impacts?
- Most expensive natural disaster in history, $235b
2.Fukushima, nuclear power station had a meltdown, radiation over 8 times larger than normal
- Tsunami with 40m waves
What were the 2 main short-term responses?
1.Scientists able to successfully predict tsunami location so they evacuated the area.
2.Red Cross send food water shelter etc
What were the 2 main long-term responses?
1.Help schemes for grieving familys
2.Earthquake drills in schools/workplaces
3.Avoid new building on flat coastal areas (out tsunamis way)
