japan earthquake Flashcards
(12 cards)
When and where did the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake occur?
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake occurred off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. It had a 9.0 magnitude.
What caused the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake?
The earthquake was caused by the movement of tectonic plates in the Pacific Ring of Fire, specifically the subduction zone between the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, where the Pacific Plate was forced under the North American Plate.
What is a subduction zone, and how did it contribute to the Tōhoku earthquake?
A subduction zone is where one tectonic plate is forced under another. The Tōhoku earthquake occurred at the Japan Trench, where the Pacific Plate was forced beneath the Eurasian Plate, building up stress that was released in a sudden, violent earthquake.
Why was the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake particularly damaging?
The earthquake had a shallow focus (about 30 km deep), meaning it occurred close to the Earth’s surface, causing stronger shaking and more significant damage.
How did the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake trigger a tsunami?
The earthquake caused a sudden vertical displacement of the seafloor, displacing a large amount of water and generating a massive tsunami with waves reaching over 30 meters in height.
What were the human casualties of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami?
Over 15,000 people were killed, and around 2,500 were still missing years later, many of whom died from the tsunami.
How did the tsunami impact Japan?
The tsunami caused severe flooding, particularly in Sendai and surrounding areas, destroying homes, buildings, infrastructure, and leaving thousands homeless. It also disrupted rescue and recovery efforts.
What was the Fukushima nuclear disaster?
The earthquake and tsunami caused a disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, disabling its cooling systems and causing a nuclear meltdown, leading to the release of radioactive materials and forcing over 150,000 people to evacuate.
What were the economic impacts of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami?
The earthquake and tsunami caused $235 billion in economic damage, destroying infrastructure and businesses. The Fukushima disaster also had long-term effects, particularly on Japan’s energy sector.
What were the social impacts of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami?
The social impact was profound, with communities devastated and many people losing homes, possessions, and loved ones. There was also a humanitarian crisis with displaced populations needing emergency aid, and long-term psychological effects such as trauma and stress on survivors.
How did aftershocks affect Japan after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake?
Japan experienced thousands of aftershocks in the weeks following the main earthquake, some of which caused further damage to already weakened structures and added fear and stress to residents.
What was the global impact of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami?
The earthquake and tsunami disrupted global supply chains, especially in the automobile and electronics industries. The Fukushima disaster raised global concerns about nuclear energy, prompting other countries to reassess their nuclear policies.
