Japan Case Study - 2011/HIC

Japan 2011 Background & Cause

Occurred on 11 March 2011. Magnitude 9.0 on Richter scale Shallow focus depth of 30km. Epicentre was 100km east of Sendai

Primary Impacts

15.8k deaths (mostly from Tsunami) 450k homeless, Fukushima nuclear plant flooded

Secondary impacts

£235 billion damage, 150k evacuated due to radiation leaks, Power shortages for 11 shut-down reactors

Short term responses

100k soldiers sent, evacuation centres set up in school/sports halls, alerts sent from advanced warning system

Long-Term responses

higher tsunami walls and flood gates built, Fukushima exclusion zone created repaired roads and railways rapidly

Protection & Preparation

Earthquake drills every Sept 1st, Buildings with shock absorbers and flexible foundations, Tsunami sirens giving 8-10 mins warning

Primary Social Impacts

15.8k deaths + 6k injuries, 450k homeless, loss of life from collapsing buildings

Primary Economic Impacts

120k buildings destroyed, 278k partially damaged, destruction of roads, bridges & railways, supplies like electricity, water & gas cut off

Primary Environmental Impacts

Massive tsunami waves up to 40m high stripped coastal land and vegetation, sea water rushed up 10km inland drowning local ecosystems, flooding of Fukushima nuclear power plant

Secondary Social Impacts

150k evacuated, severe long term mental heath & trauma issues from displacement, 2.5k permanently missing

Secondary Economic Impacts

£235 billion cost, Port and Airport destruction disrupting global trade, 11 nuclear reactors shut down

Secondary Environmental Impacts

Radiation leaks contaminating air, soil & The Pacific Ocean, Seawater salinization contaminating agricultural land, Debris from destroyed towns washing to sea marine polluting