Damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami - A quick report

Abstract

The Tohoku region, Northeast Japan, was hit by a gigantic earthquake which occurred in the Pacific close to Tohoku, and subsequently by a giant tsunami. These hazards have caused huge damage on the eastern coast Japan. The earthquake's magnitude was 9.0, the strongest ever recorded in Japan. The tsunami was also historical as its run-up height reached over 39 m. As of early May, 2011, over 24 thousand people were reported as dead or missing. Moreover, serious accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plants No.1 were caused by the effects of the tsunami. Therefore, the damage faced by Japanese people can be seen as a giant composite disaster. Although Japan, and the northeast of Japan in particular, has over a long time period increased its preparedness against earthquakes and tsunamis, huge damage still occurred. This paper considers why this tragedy occurred, and what unrecognized factors contributed to the high vulnerability of the area. To assist in answering such questions, this paper presents a timely report of the features of the earthquake and tsunami, the damage they caused, and the early efforts for recovery and reconstruction.

2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami data available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Geophysical Data Center

“…This catastrophic earthquake and tsunami resulted in the complete collapse of 118,480 houses and partial damage to 179,697 houses (NPA 2011). After the earthquake, there were 345 fires in 12 prefectures, including some cases where the tsunami triggered the fire (Mimura et al 2011). The damage to infrastructure was also very widespread, including damage to 3,559 areas along roads, 77 bridges, and 29 parts of the railway system (NPA 2011).…”

“…In some prefectures, it is difficult to determine if the cause of death was due to the earthquake or the tsunami; but according to a Jiji Press Report (2011), as of 19 April 2011, the analysis indicated that over 90% of the deaths were due to drowning in the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima Prefectures. The number of refugees exceeded 350,000 at one time (Mimura et al 2011). The earthquake and tsunami also caused the worst nuclear emergency since Chernobyl (RFI 2011).…”

“…The earthquake and tsunami also caused the worst nuclear emergency since Chernobyl (RFI 2011). The damage costs resulting from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan will be between 16 and 25 trillion yen (Mimura et al 2011).…”

“…For example, large breakwaters and coastal dykes had been constructed at the mouths of bays, evacuation procedures were developed, and loud speakers and radio transmissions were installed to announce emergency situations (Mimura et al 2011). There is evidence that these measures did have an effect in the 2011 Tohoku event.…”

“…There is evidence that these measures did have an effect in the 2011 Tohoku event. In fact, ''nearly 3,000 children in elementary and middle high schools managed to evacuate safely in Kamaishi'' (Mimura et al 2011). But it is obvious that these measures were insufficient in the face of such an extreme event.…”