Tohoku Earthquake

Question 1

When did it happen

Answer 1

11th march 2011

Question 2

How did the earthquake happen

Answer 2

-The pacific plate went under the eurasian plate at the Japan trench
-faulting occurred along 300km of the Japan trench causing the fault to thrust upwards by 10 metres and sideways by 50 metres
-the earthquake was relatively shallow because the focus was 30km below the seabed

Question 3

Where was the epicentre

Answer 3

130km east of Sendai

Question 4

What were the primary impacts

Answer 4

-between 667 and 1479 deaths occurred
-many buildings were severally damaged
-roads and railways were damaged
-electric power and sewerage systems were disrupted
-land 400km from the epicentre suffered from liquefaction

Question 5

What were the secondary impacts

Answer 5

-17000 people drowned from the tsunami
-5000 people were injured
-127000 buildings were damaged
-1.2 million buildings were severely damaged
-2000 roads, 56 bridges and 26 railways were destroyed
-main power to the Fukushima nuclear plant was cut
-tsunami waves damaged power generators and caused the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear plant because the cooling systems failed

Question 6

How much did the damages cost

Answer 6

$235 billion

Question 7

What was the response to the earthquake

Answer 7

-advanced warning systems gave people time to reach higher ground
-rescue workers and Japanese soldiers mobilised to deal with the crises
-Australia,China,India,New Zealand,South Korea and the US sent international aid