Running Head: TOHOKU EARTHQUAKE

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Tohoku Earthquake

The Formation of Tohoku Earthquake

Introduction:
I.
1. Background information:
Japan is a country which is prone to earthquakes. The Tohoku region is an island in
Japan, which has been hit by earthquakes with the most recent occurring in 2011. An
earthquake is usually a shake in the earths crust due to some energy release. It is also
referred to as a tremor with seismic waves. The earths topography is usually divided into
layers. The seismic are waves are waves of energy that travel through the earths layers. Its
magnitude is usually measured through a scale. It can be the Ritcher magnitude scale or the
Mercalli Scale. The Ritcher scale usually measures the magnitude of energy released by an
earthquake in a logarithmic 2.0 to 7.0 or above. A result of greater than 7.0 is considered to be
extremely high. The highest that has been recorded so far is 9.5 that happened in Chile. The
Mercalli scale on the other hand measures the magnitude of an earthquake in roman
numerical on a scale of I to XII (Gutenberg and Richter 1942). This scale assesses the
magnitude of how the aftereffects have been felt. The difference between the two scales is
that the results of the Ritcher scale are determined soon after the earthquake effect while the
Mercalli scale ratings are determined days after the earthquake. It involves a research process
in which data is collected from eyewitnesses together with the damage assessment on the
affected areas.
2. The purpose:
The Japanese earthquake that occurred in the region of Tohoku in 2011 was recorded
at 9.0 in the Ritcher scale. The area has always been prone to earthquakes but the one in 2011

Tohoku Earthquake

has been recorded to be the one with highest magnitude that has ever occurred in the region.
Earthquakes normally occur in areas where there is a fault line in the earths crust. A fault line
occurs exists on top of a fault, which in normally a fracture in the earths crust resulting from
plate tectonic forces. A fracture is the edge at which a rock stops in continuation. The tectonic
plates usually vary based on their positions in the earth formation. They are usually in motion
and the boundary is determined at the position in which they meet. Their motion is as a result
of forces from the earths radioactive, solid inner core. The movements of these plates
beneath the sea are the common causes of earthquakes (Fitch 1972). The aftereffects of
earthquakes are tsunamis. They occur as a result of underwater disturbances. The earthquakes
of course cause underwater disturbances. The Tsunamis are very violent water waves that
sweep across the main land causing destruction of property and major loss of lives.
II. Body section
A. The Tohoku earthquake:
1. location and Plate tectonic setting
The cause of the Tohoku earthquake has come to be researched and concluded
by scientists to be caused by a slide in the North American Plate over the pacific Plate.
Between the North American and the Pacific plate, there is an intersection referred to
as a subduction zone, where the sliding occurred. The North American plate tried to
ride over the Pacific plate. Japan is usually on the Pacific plate and hence there was an
unusually thin slide in the plates during motion. This caused the displacement of the
seafloor in the coast of Japan (Fitch 1972).
2. Regional volcano hazards as well as tsunami
The displacement of the seafloor in the coast of Japan also caused a Tsunami.
It occurred due to violations of the seafloor caused by the earthquake. There were
strong waves generated that pushed the water from beneath to the surface. The speed
was massive that water was pushed to the land surface (Kanamori 1972).

Tohoku Earthquake

B. The precursor activities and potential reoccurrences

1. Precursors to phenomenon of Tohoku earthquake
Scientific research in the Japan atmosphere has come to show that abnormal
ionosphere and electron distribution were coincident with the Tohoku earthquake. The
ionosphere consists of electrons, molecules, and atoms, which are charged by the ultraviolet
rays from the sun. This scientific research can be used to predict an earthquake but not its
magnitude. Earthquakes occur often and some are even not felt.
2. The potential reoccurrences of Tohoku area
The Tohoku area is likely to have other earthquakes but not necessarily in the
near future. Japan itself is an island that sits above where the pacific plate and North
American plate. It is a high potential area for earthquakes only that the exact date and
the magnitude of the quake cannot be established with certainty. Data from history
also shows that the area of Tohoku has been experiencing earthquakes of fewer
magnitudes and at different times. The data however does not show a trend in
occurrence or magnitude that can be used to predict the future.
C. The main impacts on the communities:
1. Direct impact
(1) Buildings and infrastructure damaged
Due to the massive shacking of the ground caused by the earthquake, the area
of Tohoku experienced damage of buildings and structures. The place is also hilly and this
also perpetuated further damage to households. The buildings had the old structural

Tohoku Earthquake

architecture which lacked enough seismic strength to withstand the ground motion. Some
roads and small buildings were submerged by the water coming from the ocean. The airports
were also not spared and were closed indefinitely due to inaccessibility. There was land
subsidence and soil liquefaction in the areas where the earthquake hit. The tsunami was the
major factor that caused most of the damages. Supply of electricity also became a problem.
The nuclear sites were also heavily hit hence could not generate energy. The reactors at the
Fukushima Diachi and those at Fukushima Dai-ni were switched off in order to prevent
further damage (Tong, Zhao et al. 2012) . The oil, gas, and goal mining plants in the east of
Tokyo were also shut down. The storage tanks were damaged by fire caused by some
chemicals reactions.
(2) Casualties and economic losses
According to the Japanese National Police Agency report in February 10th
2014, it was estimated that more than 2,601 people were unaccounted for while 15,889 deaths
were recorded. 6,152 people were injured in the aftermath (Dunbar, McCullough et al. 2011).
A report by the Japanese government shows that the damage incurred summed up to 16.9
trillion Yen, which is approximately 3.5 per cent of the countrys GDP. The industrial
production in the following months fell to 15.5 percent. This could be attributed to the lack in
proper infrastructure for raw materials delivery due to unrepaired roads and ports, while also
the energy production to be used in the factories was not at par. There were massive
fluctuations of import and exports but for the short term period after the earthquake had
struck. The country depended more on the imports since it was unable to produce enough
given the problems with the supply-chains and infrastructure. Insurance companies however
were however protected with the government deciding to give out cash for reconstructions of
homes and factories.

Tohoku Earthquake

2.Secondary impact
(1)Natural:
The ground movement caused by the earthquake led to falling of electricity
transmission cables. Fires were thus experienced even from the nuclear reactors plants.
Massive hydrogen gas entrapped in the reactors exploded prompting people living within the
vicinity to be evacuated. When strong earthquakes engulf an island or emerge from the sea
bed, they cause water to come up from the sea with high pressure, thus causing tsunamis.
This is what happened in Tohoku. The tsunami wiped out any weak structures including
human beings and animals. The earth shake led to major cracks on roads, rendering different
places inaccessible. The earthquake also changed the original formation of the ground under
the ocean with the formation of dunes in the seabed (Mori, Takahashi et al. 2012).
(2) People
The aftermath of the quake and tsunami was stressful to the people. They had lost
property and family, hence suffered from stress and depression. There was also an increased
rate in the spread of pneumonia. Chemical plants and sewer lines were destroyed and their
waste exposed to the environment, this caused the increase in spread of heart related diseases
(Omama, Yoshida et al. 2013).

D. Minimize the effect of earthquake:

(1) Social institution reaction
After the destruction experienced in the country, there were many volunteers from all
over the world who went to help in clearing of the debris. Some countries such as France and

Tohoku Earthquake

the U.S sent their soldiers to go and help in reconstruction of homes and treatment of the
survivors. Well wishers from all over the world also contributed to kitty established for
helping in the process of rehabilitation. Institutions such as the United Nations were present
through their sub-institutions to offer hope through counseling to the survivors. The
government of Japan has also come to build wall barriers in the coastal areas in order to
minimize the damage in case of future tsunami occurrences.
(2) Complete prediction system
Scientists and geologists are carrying out research in order to establish ways of
predicting the emergence and magnitude of earthquakes in order to save lives. One major
theory that is understudy is the ionosphere and electron distribution. The electrons consist of
atoms that rely on the ultraviolet rays from the sun. According to the scientific research, the
atoms can be used to predict earthquakes. During formation of the earthquake, some energy is
released to the ionosphere, which charges the atoms and makes them to behave in abnormal
ways. With further observation, it may be concluded that an earthquake is coming and people
may be evacuated on time in order to save lives (Scholz, Sykes et al. 1973).
E. The main reason for Japan is unable to be immune earthquake:
(1) The complexity of earthquake occurrence
Japan is an island that is usually located near tectonic plate boundaries; the North
American plate and the Pacific plate. This boundary experiences waves of energy travelling
through the earths layers in form of seismic waves. There are too many movements on the
plates and they will occasionally try to move their edges over each other. This causes the
displacement of the sea floor and hence the earthquakes follow. They do not however occur
frequently but after many years since the movements of the plates is too slow.

Tohoku Earthquake

(2) Unable to get an accurate prediction

Seismology is depended upon in the prediction of the occurrence of an earthquake.
Earthquakes normally occur but what distinguish them are their magnitudes. It has been
difficult in predicting the likely magnitude that a given earthquake might have on the Ritcher
scale. The movement of the plates has helped scientists know where the earthquake shall
occur. Earthquakes even go unnoticed due to their low magnitude. There have also been
biological ways of knowing that an earthquake shall occur. This has been observed in animal
behavior especially toads (Kirschvink 2000). However there is still a challenge of estimating
or having an insight into the magnitude.
III. Conclusion
The Tohoku earthquake has been one of the most tragic natural disasters experienced.
The tsunami effect which followed caused massive destruction of life and property. The
underlying question is if there could be a way of predicting the size or magnitude of the
quake. It would help in the prevention of such catastrophes.

References

Tohoku Earthquake

Dunbar, P., et al. (2011): "2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami data available from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Geophysical Data
Center." Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk 2(4): 305-323.
Fitch, T. J. (1972). "Plate convergence, transcurrent faults, and internal deformation
adjacent to southeast Asia and the western Pacific." Journal of Geophysical Research
77(23): 4432-4460.
Gutenberg, B. and C. F. Richter (1942): "Earthquake magnitude, intensity, energy, and
acceleration." Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 32(3): 163-191.
Kanamori, H. (1972): "Mechanism of tsunami earthquakes." Physics of the earth and
planetary interiors 6(5): 346-359.
Kirschvink, J. L. (2000). "Earthquake prediction by animals: evolution and sensory
perception." Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America 90(2): 312-323.
Mori, N., et al. (2012): "Nationwide post event survey and analysis of the 2011 Tohoku
earthquake tsunami." Coastal Engineering Journal 54(01).
Omama, S., et al. (2013). "Influence of the great East Japan earthquake and tsunami 2011 on
occurrence of cerebrovascular diseases in Iwate, Japan." Stroke 44(6): 1518-1524.
Scholz, C. H., et al. (1973). "Earthquake prediction: A physical basis." Science 181(4102):
803-810.