Japan

• When did the earthquake in Japan occur?

  11 March 2011
• What was the magnitude of the earthquake that struck Japan?

  9.0 on the Richter scale
• Where was the epicenter of the earthquake located?

  247 miles under the Pacific Ocean
• What was the height of the tsunami caused by the earthquake?

  More than 30 meters
• What geological feature caused the earthquake in Japan?

  Pacific Plate subducting under Eurasian Plate
• How many volcanoes are there in Japan?

  282 volcanoes
• What happens when the tectonic plates lock together?

  Pressure builds until it releases as an earthquake
• What was the impact of the earthquake on Japan's history?

  It was the most serious disaster in Japan's history
• How much did the earthquake move the Earth off its axis?

  10 inches
• What happened to the north-east coast of Japan after the earthquake?

  It was flattened by two meters
• How many towns were completely submerged?

  Four entire towns
• What was the estimated number of unaccounted people in one town?

  9,000 people
• What was the potential nuclear disaster related to?

  Radiation leak from a nuclear plant
• How far was the nuclear plant from Tokyo?

  150 miles
• What was the initial evacuation radius around the Fukushima plant?

  12 miles
• What did officials say about the nuclear meltdown?

  It would not be as severe as Chernobyl
• What did the blogger express about Japan's spirit?

  Japan will work to rebuild
• What was the earthquake's impact on the ocean floor?

  It left a 150-mile rupture
• How fast did the tsunami waves move?

  At an estimated 25 mph
• What did the tsunami do to the landscape?

  It charged up to six miles inland
• How far was Sendai from the epicenter?

  80 miles
• What happened to Sendai after the earthquake?

  At least a third was submerged
• How many bodies were found washed up on nearby beaches?

  200 to 300 bodies
• What did many residents face after returning home?

  Utter despair and destruction
• What was the primary cause of the majority of deaths?

  Drowning in the tsunami
• What age group made up more than half of the tsunami victims?

  Aged 65 years and older
• How many buildings collapsed due to the disaster?

  Over 128,000 buildings
• What was the estimated financial damage caused by the disaster?

  Excess of $300 billion
• What did advanced warnings allow people to do?

  Get outside or reach higher ground
• Which countries sent search and rescue teams?

  Australia, China, India, New Zealand
• What hindered rescue efforts after the disaster?

  Disruption to roads and communications
• How many people were displaced after the disaster?

  More than 130,000 people
• What was set up in Sendai after the disaster?

  Tens of thousands of temporary houses
• What was the long-term rebuilding effort expected to take?

  20 years
• What is the only effective long-term response to earthquakes?

  Being prepared for them
• What do emergency services train for?

  Rapid protection and response operations
• What is practiced annually in Japan for disaster preparedness?

  National disaster drills
• What do strict building codes ensure?

  Buildings can move with the quake
• What was the focus depth of the earthquake?

  80 km deep
• What was the primary effect of the tsunami on Sendai airport?

  It was closed by the tsunami