Japan 2011

• Magnitude of the earthquake

  9.1
• Depth of focus


  30km
• Cause

  Pacific plate moved 8 feet closer to the North American plate in a few seconds.
• Social impacts


  20000 killed, 6000 injured, 130000 homeless

  47000 evacuated from Fukushima, mental impact on survivors
• Economic impacts


  Runway at Sendai airport cracked, some buildings damaged, roads destroyed

  Loss of livelihoods for fishermen and other coastal businesses US$240 billion overall cost
• Environmental impacts


  Crustal fracturing of ground, Fukushima damaged but backup generators kicked in

  10m high tsunami surged 10km inland
• Impact of the tsunami on Fukushima

  Lost power and cooling system stopped causing nuclear meltdown, still a 20km exclusion zone around Fukushima.
• Immediate responses


  11000 defence troops mobilised to help with search and rescue, all TV and radio played earthquake coverage, bank of Japan gave US$185 billion to Japan's banks to protect the economy, accepted international aid from NZ/USA, 250000 people housed in temporary shelters.
• Long term responses


  Some houses and buildings rebuilt, 20km exclusion zone, power plant decommissioned, population cut down on electricity usage, new tsunami warning system, earthquake engineers studied the damage to develop more earthquake proof buildings.
• How much did Japan cut down nuclear energy by?

  Went from 27% in 2010 to just 1% in 2013.
• How was Japan prepared in terms of buildings?


  75% were earthquake proof compared to 0% in Haiti, strict building regulations (good government with low corruption).
• How did planning ensure preparedness?

  Vulnerable areas had a 10m tsunami wall, evacuation plans were made, shelters, many homes and offices had emergency kits, warning system detected earthquake 1 minute in advance, tsunami warning system allowed many to escape.
• How did education ensure preparedness?

  Disaster prevention day on September 1st in Japan, drills carried out, coordinated emergency services.
• How close was the epicentre to Sendai?

  130km east of Sendai
• GDP


  US$39000/ person