ASSIGNMENT 01 SONA PARVEEN FAROOQUE

Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami (2011)

The Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami, known as the Great East Japan
Earthquake, struck on March 11, 2011, off Japan's northeastern coast, leaving
profound impacts on both Japan and the global community.

The earthquake's magnitude stood at an astounding 9.0, ranking among

history's most potent seismic events.
Its epicenter lay roughly 70 kilometers off Tohoku's Oshika Peninsula, Japan.
The earthquake manifested relatively shallow, occurring about 32 kilometers
beneath the ocean floor.

The earthquake's underwater

tremors induced a formidable
tsunami, propagating across the
Pacific Ocean.
Within minutes, the tsunami made
landfall, inflicting extensive
devastation along the northeast
coastline.

A seismograph record of the earthquake

Some tsunami waves surged to towering heights of 40 meters, inundating

coastal towns and cities.
Communities were obliterated, and thousands perished, went missing, or
were displaced.
Mechanism of 2011 Tohoku earthquake
The Earthquake, had profound and far-reaching social and economic
consequences:

1. Human Toll:

The disaster resulted in approximately 15,900 confirmed fatalities, leaving over

2,500 people missing.
Tens of thousands of individuals were injured, and communities were left
grappling with the devastating loss of lives and loved ones.

2. Infrastructure Impact:

Coastal communities endured extensive damage to their infrastructure.

Roads, bridges, and railways were either obliterated or severely impaired,
significantly hampering rescue and relief efforts.
The onslaught of the tsunami also led to soil erosion and the deterioration of
coastal areas.

3. Building Vulnerabilities:

Numerous structures, especially those constructed prior to modern seismic

codes, experienced considerable damage, and some even collapsed entirely.
Older wooden buildings, in particular, were susceptible to the powerful
tremors, underscoring the pressing need for stricter building codes and the
retrofitting of existing structures to enhance seismic resilience.

4. Fukushima Nuclear Disaster:

The earthquake and ensuing tsunami triggered a catastrophic nuclear event

at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.
The failure of power and cooling systems resulted in reactor meltdowns and
the release of radioactive materials, necessitating evacuations and raising
enduring concerns about environmental and health repercussions.

Key Lessons Learned:

1. Seismic Readiness:
While Japan's advanced seismic building codes provided some protection,
the vulnerability of older structures highlighted the necessity for
comprehensive retrofitting and stricter codes.

2. Enhanced Tsunami Warnings:

Japan's existing tsunami warning systems faced challenges due to the

rapidity of the tsunami's arrival. This underscored the importance of efficient
communication systems and comprehensive education about effective
tsunami evacuation protocols.

3. Nuclear Safety and Oversight:

The Fukushima disaster shed light on the susceptibility of nuclear power

plants to natural disasters. It stressed the importance of thorough safety
assessments, robust contingency plans, and international collaboration in
nuclear regulation.

4. Rebuilding and Resilience:

Japan undertook a monumental effort to reconstruct its infrastructure,

homes, and communities.
This process was underscored by a focus on designing structures that could
better endure future seismic events and tsunamis.

5. Global Significance:

The disaster emphasized the interconnectedness of the global community in

responding to and providing relief for disasters of this magnitude.

Environmental Impact:

The release of radioactive materials from the Fukushima nuclear disaster had
a substantial effect on marine ecosystems and food chains, producing lasting
environmental consequences.

Long-Term Impact:
The psychological impact on survivors and communities heightened
awareness of mental health support requirements and the significance of
fostering community resilience.

A tsunami reaches Miyako City, overtopping seawalls and flooding streets in Iwa Prefecture,
Japan, after the magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck the area March 11, 2011

People take shelter as a ceiling collapses in a bookstore during the earthquake in Sendai,
northeastern Japan
Quake-damaged, natural-gas storage tanks burn at the Cosmo oil refinery in Ichihara city,
Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo

Whirlpools are seen following a tsunami and earthquake in Iwaki city, Fukushima Prefecture
Sendai Airport is surrounded by swirling seawater after a tsunami following an earthquake in
Sendai, Japan

The Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011 stands as a somber reminder of

the immense potential for destruction presented by natural disasters. It
underscores the critical importance of disaster preparedness, robust
infrastructure, stringent building codes, and international cooperation in
addressing the intricate challenges posed by such cataclysmic events. The
insights gleaned from this tragedy continue to shape global seismic safety
protocols and strategies for building resilience.
 Kashmir Earthquake (2005)
On October 8, 2005, a devastating earthquake struck the northern regions of
Pakistan and India, including the Kashmir Valley.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale and was one of
the most destructive seismic events in the region's history.
The earthquake epicenter was located approximately 19 km north northeast
of the city of Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Pakistani-administered part of
Kashmir, known as Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK). •
The Kashmir 2005 earthquake is similar in size to the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake, the 1935 Quetta earthquake, the 2001 Gujarat earthquake, and
the 2009 Sumatra earthquakes.

Map depicting regional tectonic plates.

Seismic activity in South Asia is a direct result of the collision of the Indian and
the Eurasian plates, which results from the northwestern motion of the Indian
Plate at the rate of 4-5 cm per year. • The resulting collision has fractured the
Indian plate into several slices beneath the Kashmir Basin and is known as the
Indus-Kohistan seismic zone. • The main identified feature in this zone is the
Balakot-Bagh fault, which is the likely source of the earthquake.
Social and Economic Consequences:

1. Human Toll:

The earthquake yielded a profound loss of life, with estimations varying

between 85,000 to 87,000 fatalities.
Tens of thousands were left injured, while a multitude faced displacement
and homelessness.

2. Infrastructure Damage:

The earthquake inflicted extensive harm on infrastructure, encompassing

buildings, roads, bridges, and schools.
Crucial transportation routes were disrupted, impeding the flow of rescue and
relief operations.

3. Building Failures:

The impact on structures was severe, culminating in the collapse or severe

damage of a significant number of buildings.
Structures not adhering to seismic building codes faced heightened
vulnerability, underscoring the importance of compliance.

4. Economic Impact:

Economic losses bore substantial weight, approximated at around $5 billion

in Pakistan and roughly $2.5 billion in India.

Lessons Learned:

1. Seismic Preparedness and Building Codes:

The earthquake distinctly illuminated the necessity of enforcing stringent

seismic building codes to elevate structural resilience.
Prompted by these lessons, Pakistan and India revisited their building codes
and construction practices, emphasizing earthquake resistance.
 2. Disaster Response and Preparedness:

The catastrophe laid bare the chinks in disaster response and preparedness
frameworks within the region.
Both governmental bodies and relief organizations recognized the urgency of
streamlined coordination and swifter response protocols during emergencies.

3. Humanitarian Cooperation:

The Kashmir earthquake provided an undeniable illustration of the

indispensability of international humanitarian collaboration amid crisis.
Immediate neighbors and the global community rallied to furnish aid and
assistance to the affected areas.

4. Community Resilience:

The seismic event accentuated the imperative of community readiness and

resilience, particularly in earthquake-prone regions.
Local communities, educational institutions, and organizations prioritized
earthquake safety education and drills as vital safeguards.

5. Reconstruction and Rehabilitation:

Recovery efforts took flight to restore afflicted regions, providing newly

displaced communities with revamped housing and infrastructure.
Attention pivoted towards crafting structures fortified against earthquakes,
thus ensuring safer living conditions.

Policy Impact:

The disaster's repercussions encompassed policy shifts and the establishment

of disaster management agencies in both Pakistan and India.
Concerted endeavors were directed at enhancing disaster preparedness,
fine-tuning early warning mechanisms, and fortifying response frameworks.
Destruction of structures and hillslopes in Muzaffarabad, near the earthquake epicenter.

USGS Shakemap for the event

The Kashmir Earthquake of 2005 left an indelible imprint on the region,
leaving behind an overwhelming toll of human lives, infrastructure ravages,
and economic setbacks. Extracting wisdom from this ordeal emphasized
seismic readiness, structural fortitude, synchronized disaster response, and
the collaborative might of international aid. Moreover, this catastrophe
instigated policy transformations and initiatives to curtail communities'
vulnerability to seismic events, ultimately shaping the blueprint for disaster
management strategies in the stricken regions.