(GLOBAL HAZARDS) - Japan earthquake case study

Question 1

when did the Japan earthquake occur?

Answer 1

2:46pm, March 11th 2011

Question 2

what caused the 2011 Japan earthquake?

Answer 2

a build up of strain energy as the Pacific plate subducted under the Eurasian plate

Question 3

name some of the social effects of the Japan earthquake

Answer 3

• estimated death toll over 20,000
• 2,562 people remain missing
• around 4.4 million households in north east Japan left without electricity

Question 4

name some of the environmental effects of the Japan earthquake

Answer 4

• liquefaction
• damage & pollution up to 6 miles inward
• flooding & deaths of animals

Question 5

name some of the economic effects of the Japan earthquake

Answer 5

• damage to infrastructure (332,395 buildings destroyed, 300 hospitals damages & 11 destroyed)
• economic cost = $235 billion
• earthquake proof buildings saved structures

Question 6

name the emergency responses to the earthquake

Answer 6

• rescue services & army began searching for survivors immediately
• Fukushima (nuclear power plant) reactors automatically shut down to prevent a melt down
• tsunami warning centre, Hawaii gave updates on tsunamis

Question 7

name the long term responses to the earthquake

Answer 7

• investigating & researching the event
• setting up early warning systems
• prediction (monitoring plate movement)