1.3.1

Tohoku Earthquake & Tsunami

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Causes and Impacts - Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami

In March 2011, there was an earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan. This is an example of a developed country experiencing a disaster.

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Causes

  • There was a magnitude 9.0 earthquake east of Sendai, under the sea in the north-west Pacific Ocean.
  • This earthquake took place on a subduction zone between the Pacific and Eurasian tectonic plates.
  • Within 45 minutes, a tsunami between 10 and 20 m high struck the eastern coast of Japan.
  • In some places, the tsunami was 40 m high and travelled up to 20 km inland.
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Impacts

  • The impacts of the tsunami were very severe:
    • There were 16,000 known deaths, 3,000 missing and 6,000 injured.
    • 130,000 buildings were destroyed and 145,000 damaged.
    • There was massive damage to ports, factories and services in coastal areas – over 26 million tonnes of debris was created.
    • Economic losses were US$300 billion.
    • A major secondary issue arose when a nuclear power station at Fukushima was flooded and failed. There were fears of a nuclear meltdown and severe pollution.

Responses - Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami

In March 2011, there was an earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, Japan. This is an example of a developed country experiencing a disaster.

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Immediately after

  • The immediate priority was search and rescue, and stabilisation and prevention of nuclear disaster from the failure of the affected nuclear plant at Fukushima.
  • A huge amount of temporary housing was provided.
  • The area around Fukushima was evacuated in the long-term because the effects of nuclear pollution on human health are severe for years after being exposed to it.
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Long-term response

  • In the aftermath, a government report was commissioned to establish principles for recovery.
  • The report focused on future safety measures (e.g. a higher tsunami wall), greater environmental awareness for future planning (e.g. avoiding flat coastal areas) and long-term support for those who had lost relatives or been otherwise affected.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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