Japan 2011 Case study

Context 

Where? Off the East coast of Sendai

Date? 11th March 2011

Cause? Movement along the destructive subduction plate boundary between Pacific and North American plates.

Size? 9.0 (richter scale)

Primary effects

Severe shaking of the ground and soil liquefaction (ground turning to liquid) caused 128,479 properties to be totally destroyed and 78 bridges to collapse. As a direct result of these primary effects, 15,845 people were killed and 5,894 injured. 

Secondary effects

Here the knock on effects were severe. The quake caused a tsunami which reached a height of 39 meters and travelled 10km inland causing severe flooding. Shipping was majorly disrupted as port closures affected imports/exports. The nuclear plant in Fukishima region over 200000 residents were evacuated (still not returned). Cost to government = $300 billion 

Immediate responses

Government coordinated response: 11 aircraft within 30 min to survey damage and help inform emergency aid decisions. Japanese army used to clear debris blocking roads to enable emergency access. 452,000 were cared for in evacuation centres. 

Long term response

infrastructure: Sendai airport was repaired by US and Japan army by 29 march. By November 2011 96% if the electricity supply had been restored and 98% of the water supply.