Japan's 2011 Earthquake: Lessons Learned and Future Preparedness

On March 11th, 2011, the northeast coast of the Tōhoku, Japan's Honshu island was hit by an earthquake measuring at the magnitude of 9. An earthquake is rapid shiftment of the Earth's tectonic plates, which outcome in the ground shaking. Tectonic plates are large slabs of rock under the earth’s surface. The consequences of the earthquake were felt all over the world, from the fjords of Norway to the ice sheets of Antarctica. The earthquake was a strong shaking that lasted for three to five minutes. This earthquake essay will inform social, environmental and economic impacts. Geological science and technology to improve and predict earthquakes will also be discussed.

Geological Science 

The 2011 Japan earthquake was triggered by a subduction zone offshore where two of Earth's tectonic plates collide. The tectonic plates also called lithosphere plates are large pieces of rock, composed of both continental and oceanic rock. The converging movement of the pacific plate and the north American plate triggered the earthquake and tsunami. The North American plate is mostly made up of continental crust and the pacific plate is mostly made up of oceanic crust. The plates do not have an equal density; therefore, one plate will have a heavier density. Having a heavier density causes the pacific plate to sink under the north American plate in a subduction zone. and collide causing a tsunami and an earthquake. When the plates collide, energy is generated. The plates move because of a process called convection currents. The Pacific Plate has been grinding with the north American plate for an average of 10 million years, it is colliding 5 centimeters a year. The earthquakes energy was released in the form of seismic by friction on the slip surface of the fault. 

The aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami had significant social, environmental and economic impacts. These were impacts were extraordinary because it effected the social community, economy and environment which are important to preserve a stable and functional country.

Social Impacts

Tōhoku 2011 earthquake created a substantial social impact such as homelessness, deaths, resources, poor living standards and health issues. The tsunami and earthquake resulted in more than 300,000 refugees by destruction of homes and buildings. The tsunami caused 15,891 confirmed deaths and 90% of the deaths occurred by drowning. Resources such as food, medicine, water and fuel were contaminated by debris. Tsunami’s pollute food and water by human sewage, livestock wastes, viruses and parasites that immediately threaten human health. This effected the people because they needed water to survive.

Economic Impacts

Economic effects of japan are lowering economy, cost of damage, high unemployment rates, loss of communication to other countries. Loss of income to the economy will create high unemployment rate. A high employment rate cause low income and poverty, and loss of education. Destruction of Shops and business also corroborate with unemployment rates and low income. The cost of damage is extremely high to repair buildings, electricity such as power lines and power plants. By having a high damage cost takes a huge toll out of the economy. Demolishment of communication links for trade and globalization will affect not only japan but other countries who trade.

Environmental Impacts

Environmental impacts are destroyed landscape, fires, landslides, flooding, erosion and debris. Destruction of landscape cause debris, soil erosion and rock erosion. These all cause major problems which contaminate water and food. Fires can be caused by gas pipe explosions during earthquakes and tsunamis. Fires can damage farms, animal habitats livestock and resources. Landslides will also occur creating property damage, injuries, death and impacts resources by accessibility to water and quality or the water can be contaminated. Tsunamis will cause flooding in coastal areas. Overall Environmental impacts are vastly negative and have extreme pollution problems through debris which has washed up to even South America and many other countries.

The Technology

Japan’s epicenter is located about 130 kilometers east of Sendai, Japan. Strong earthquakes were predicted, but scientists had not believed that there was enough energy to generate one bigger than 9 magnitude. The technology used during the japan earthquake was called a seismograph or a seismometer. A seismometer is designed to respond and record the intensity of ground motions and vibrations during an earthquake. They record earthquakes, explosions, tsunami’s and volcanic eruptions. Safety can be improved to protect people from earthquakes, but scientist can’t predict major earthquakes or when they hit but they can predict the probability. A technology that can predict earthquakes in the future is advanced satellite detection cameras and data processing centres.

These satellites can be designed detect and record seismic waves being generated by occurring earthquakes. This will provide notice weeks, hours, or even months before it happens. It will decrease high mortality rates and time for preparation of event. The satellites will take pictures providing long period of time and short time frames, of an earthquake. The images will be sent to data processing centres. This is the place where scientist analyse the data to predict and improve upcoming tsunamis.

Сonclusion 

The Great Tōhoku Earthquake was caused by converging movement of the pacific plate and the north American plate on a subduction zone. The impact could have been lessened and predicted by advanced satellite cameras and data processing centers. To improve negative impacts and have warnings is Earthquake alarms warning, so when earthquakes so people can evacuate to safer places. More notices are having safety places, educating people how to stay safe, first aid kits accessible to everyone and have building structures that handle an earthquake.