Tohoku Oki Earthquake

When did it happen ?

March 2011

Geological context ?

Destructive plate margin , pacific subducting beneath Eurasian plate

Tsunami generation & Characteristics ?

Significant displacement of seabed , 38 metre max height , 10 km inland

Primary impacts ?

-16,000 deaths

-130,000 displaced

-4.4 million households lose electricity

-26 railways severely damaged / destroyed

-300 hospitals severely damaged / destroyed

Secondary impacts ?

-$300 Billion cost

-Fukushima nuclear meltdown 8x radioactivity

Immediate response ?

-Japan metrological agency , impact zones / warnings in 3 mins

-Rescue workers & 100,000 Japan self defence force , search and rescue

-20 km Fukushima evacuation / iodine tablets

-375 km Tohoku express way & Sendia airport repaired

Long term response ?

-Japanese gov £190 billion budget for 10 years

-Coastal protection policy , seawalls , 150 year recurrence

-Reconstruction policy council , recovery plan , resilient communities

Why do people live their ?

-75% Japan is mountainous

-Strong ties for family & community

-Better education , jobs , services in costal areas