HIC CASE STUDY Japan earthquake 2011

Tectonic Hazards

Place

Japan offshore 250 miles of Tokyo 

Date

Friday 11th March 2011

Cause

The pacific plate sub ducted under the North American plate in a destructive plate boundary

GDP per capita

$39000

Magnitude

9

Primary effects

• 15894 people died

• 26152 people injured

• 332395 buildings destroyed 

• 4.4 million households were without power

Secondary effects 

• Cities along coastal region near earthquake destroyed

• Reacts at the Fukushima nuclear power station experience a meltdown radiation was over eight times the normal

• Total damage estimated at $235 billion

Immediate responses

• The Japan metrological agency issued tsunami warning 

• Rescue workers and run 100,000 members of the Japan self-defence force supported such and rescue operation

• A 20km evacuation zone was established around the Fukushima nuclear plant

• Japan received international help from the US military rescue team from New Zealand India, South Korea, China, and Australia

Long term response 

• The central government established the reconstruction policy council to develop a national recovery and reconstruction

• The government approved a budget of ¥23 billion to be spent over 10 years

• A coastal protection policy was established to construct seas and break waters

• By November 2011 96% of the electrical supply was restored at 98% of the water Supplies