Local Case Study

• How many earthquakes occur in Japan each year?

  1500
• What fraction of the world's total earthquakes occur in Japan?


  1/3
• What caused the earthquake in Tohoku?

  The Pacific Ocean plate pressing down under the continental plate
• How did the earthquake affect the island of Japan's position?


  It moved the entire island 2.4 meters closer to North America
• What was the effect of the earthquake on the Earth's axis?

  It shifted the Earth's axis by at least 10 cm
• What was the approximate area flooded by the tsunami?


  Approximately 500 km²
• How many people died or went missing due to the tsunami?


  Approximately 18,000
• How many people were left homeless after the tsunami?

  500,000
• How many homes were left without clean water after the tsunami?

  1 million
• How many people were left without electricity after the tsunami?

  6 million
• What was the frequency of aftershocks following the earthquake?


  Over 700 aftershocks
• How did the magnitude of the earthquake affect people's perception?


  People became more fearful due to the high magnitude
• Why were some parts of Japan less fearful of the earthquake?

  Wealthy areas were better prepared
• How does the frequency of earthquakes affect people's perception in Japan?

  It leads to a sense of acceptance among the population
• What is the impact of overcrowding during disasters?

  It can lead to panic and dangerous situations