Tohoku Earthquake

What was the magnitude of the Tohoku Earthquake?

Magnitude 9.0 – one of the most powerful globally since 1900.

When did the Tohoku Earthquake occur?

March 11, 2011.

How deep was the Tohoku Earthquake?

29 km depth.

How many people died in the Tohoku Earthquake?

About 18,500.

What secondary hazards followed the Tohoku Earthquake?

Massive tsunami (40.5m), Fukushima nuclear meltdown, ground subsidence.

How many people were displaced by the Tohoku Earthquake?

Approximately 450,000.

What was the economic cost of the Tohoku Earthquake?

$235 billion – most expensive natural disaster ever.

What percentage of Japan’s GDP was lost due to the earthquake?

Around 4–5% of GDP.

What kind of plate boundary caused the Tohoku Earthquake?

Destructive subduction boundary – Pacific Plate subducting under North American Plate.

What urban damage occurred in Tohoku?

332,395 buildings damaged, 56 bridges affected, 26 railways damaged.

What was the tsunami's maximum height during the Tohoku Earthquake?

38.8 metres at Miyako.

How far inland did the tsunami travel?

Up to 10 km inland.

What energy-related disaster happened during the Tohoku Earthquake?

Nuclear meltdown at Fukushima power plant.

How did Japan respond to the earthquake?

Fast response: early warning systems, 100,000 soldiers deployed, domestic aid + tech, Red Cross.

How effective were Japan’s buildings during the earthquake?

Relatively effective due to strict and enforced building codes.

What long-term environmental impact did the quake cause?

Radiation leakage and long-term changes to Japan's energy mix.

Why do people live in high-risk areas like northeast Japan?

Economic opportunities, trust in infrastructure, cultural/historical connection to land.

What mitigation strategies existed in Japan before the quake?

Tsunami sea walls, strict building codes, public drills, warning systems.

Which infrastructure failed despite mitigation in Tohoku?

Some coastal sea walls were overtopped or failed.

What is one unique aspect of the Tohoku disaster?

Combination of earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster – a compound catastrophe.