Japanese Earthquake 2011

On March the 11th, at around 14:45 (local-time) the most destructive earthquake in Japanese history rattled the ground for a trembling five minutes. At a magnitude of 9.0 (according to USGS researchers) - this would've been the 5th largest earthquake since the 1900's. With the top magnitude being 9.3.

Why was this earthquake so large?

There are a few connective reasons why this earthquake hit such a large magnitude. Firstly, the fault rupture, which when moved, creates earthquakes, is massive. Around x9 the average size of a normal fault. Secondly, the pace the Pacific Plate is hitting the Japanese Island: Honshu is quicker than a normal boundary. The quicker the speed of movement, the more deadly the quake when it happens. The speed also has an impact on how many earthquakes happen in the area, with Japan receiving around 70 or more per-year; over 5.0 on the Richter Scale. This is due to the fault line always shaking, thus creating earthquakes. Fourth, it's on a constructive plate boundary, with the continental crust going above the more-heavy Oceanic crust. These types of plates create earthquakes. Unlike some other boundaries.

What were the immediate effects of the Earthquake?

The major effect, which this earthquake will be remembered for, is the 60ft Tsunami which swept across the Eastern island of Honshu. At a speed of over 100mph, the wave hit the beaches of Japan after a 10 minute warning about the incoming Tsunami. Around 100,000 people were stranded in their houses, or in their towns because of gridlock. Millions of Japanese residents moved towards Tokyo an other places off the shore. The Tsunami wiped out all of the seaside tourist attractions on most Eastern Japanese beaches and fishing harbors. The Tsunami then slowed down, to around 60mph across the land, capturing everything in it's path and taking out villages; destroy fishing-towns; tourist-towns; wildlife centers; agricultural land and business parks.

With the Tsunami wave over, but the Tsunami flooded across the country, around 40 miles in from the shore. With the water hitting the land, many energy resources were cut off from the Tsunami hit area. This meant shortages in heat, electric and clean-water were apparent straight away. For the Japanese, all three of these were essentials, but had turned into something they'd not though of not being with. Many Japanese moved to city homes, or family houses with the shortages. Leaving their destroyed houses to float with the Tsunami. One family stated "I'll never see my home again, that much, I know. I have no reason to stay in refugee when my family is safe on the other side of the country." Fires burned bright in the Japanese towns, where they were the only thing above the water. Cars, boats, trucks and airplanes were moved by the Tsunami. - All of this, in 6 hours.

What were the Secondary Effects of the Japanese Earthquake?

According to USGS over 401 earthquake aftershocks, over 5.0 - were reported. Four major aftershocks, hitting at 6 to 7.2 happened in the following days. 7.2 was the size of the New Zealand: Christchurch Earthquake. Which happened two weeks before.

With thousands/millions homeless and many needing care, there were hospitals set up round Japan to help/keep people inside and well. Red Cross and other foundations worked around the clock to ensure everyone was safe and well fed.

The Nuclear Reactor Meltdown happened a few days after, and has continued since then. With high levels of radiation at the site, many people in Fukushima have left, to escape the toxic wasteland. Some scientists have stayed, telling the press "The ain't got long left, might as-well do some good" - while progress is made everyday in the nuclear facility, there'll not be any work development in Fukushima for a long time.

Japanese economic crisis from handing out millions/billions of pounds worth of resources to the homeless. Japan has came out of this crisis and is now said to be doing well in the economy.