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Questions and Answers
What was the magnitude of the earthquake on the Richter Scale that triggered the tsunami?
What was the approximate depth of the earthquake's focus?
What was the approximate duration of the earthquake?
What was the consequence of the meltdowns at the Fukushima Power Plant?
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What was the impact of the tsunami on the town of Ishinomaki?
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What was the long-term response to the nuclear reactors in Japan after the disaster?
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Study Notes
Earthquake Characteristics
- 9.0 magnitude earthquake on the Richter Scale triggered a tsunami
- Epicenter located 43 miles from Tohoku
- Focus of the earthquake was 20 miles deep
- Earthquake lasted approximately 6 minutes
- Skyscrapers swayed due to resistant design, but sustained limited damage
Tsunami Impact
- 450,000 individuals left homeless
- Tsunami claimed the lives of more than 15,000 people
- 3 nuclear reactors at the Fukishima Power Plant experienced meltdowns, releasing toxic and radioactive materials
- 6 nuclear reactors encountered issues
- Oil refineries in Ichihara and Sendai were ablaze
- A school in Ishinomaki suffered a devastating loss of 84% of its 121 students and teachers
- Most casualties and damage occurred in Iwate
Japan's Statistics at the Time
- Population of around 128 million
- GDP of Japan was US$5 trillion (High-Income Country)
Immediate Responses
- Emergency measures were taken, including mass graves to bury the deceased to prevent the spread of diseases
- International aid was requested
- AT&T provided and maintained free phone network services
- 140,000 residents from the Fukishima region were evacuated due to the Power Plant issues and meltdowns
Long-term Responses
- All 55 nuclear reactors were shut down for safety reasons, leading to blackouts across Japan
- Railway network resumed full functionality 6 months post-disaster
- Toyota and Sony permanently relocated their operations abroad
- Food exports were restricted due to radiation concerns
- Within a year, 330,000 homes were reconstructed for the displaced population
- Coastal areas initiated reconstruction efforts
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Description
Learn about the primary and secondary effects of the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, including earthquake characteristics, tsunami impact, and nuclear reactor damages.
