Background on Geological Hazards in Japan

The “Ring of Fire” stretches from New Zealand to South America, running along the eastern edge of Asia, the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, and the coasts of North and South America. It is located along the borders of the Pacific Plate and is home to seventy five percent of the world’s volcanoes, both active and dormant. The Ring of Fire is responsible for approximately eighty percent of the world’s earthquakes, including the most recent earthquake that resulted in a tsunami crashing down on Japan. An earthquake occurs when two plates rub against each other or collide, forcing one plate to slide on top of another. As plates move, some pieces may get stuck together, allowing pressure to build. An earthquake occurs when the section that is stuck gives way.

       Japan was created millions of years ago by plate shifting. It sits on top of the intersection of the Pacific Plate and at least three other plates: the Eurasian Plate, the Philippine Plate, and a sub plate.  All of these plates are continually colliding and grinding against each other, putting Japan in a vulnerable position for earthquakes. Japan experiences hundreds of earthquakes a year, each with a varying magnitude. In the past week alone Japan has experienced approximately fifty minor earthquakes. In 1923, Japan witnessed the most devastating earthquake in its history – The Great Kanto Earthquake. It hit the Kanto plain near Tokyo, resulting in over 100,000 deaths. In 1995, the Southern Hyogo Earthquake (or Great Hanshin Earthquake) hit the city of Kobe, killing 6,000 people and leaving 415,000 others injured.

Sources:

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/quake_singen_index.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/asia-pacific/japan-sits-atop-deadliest-section-of-ring-of-fire/article1939671/

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2116.html

CBS Video of damage in Japan

Local Environmental Consequences

The disaster of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami has wreaked havoc at a local level for the Japanese. The earthquake was soon followed by a massive tsunami wave reaching heights of over 120 feet. This tidal wave hit Japan’s Pacific coast and engulfed or destroyed everything in its path. The tsunami traveled as far as 6 miles inland.

       Thousands upon thousands of buildings were destroyed by the combination of the earthquake and tsunami waves. Over 45,000 homes have been destroyed. More importantly, thousands of people have either died or gone missing. The loss of human life during this tragedy has been immense. As of April 5, 2011, the death toll had reached 12,321, and the number of missing people was at 15,347, while 80% of the bodies located had been identified. With the current figures, including those missing and presumed dead, the overall death count is expected to reach 27,000 at the minimum.

       Around 165,000 people are still living in shelters because they either have no home to return to, or they live in an area currently without water or electricity, which is the case for much of Japan. Sadly, what may wind up being the lasting legacy of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami is the failure of the nuclear reactors at the Fukushima nuclear plant. The destructive force of the earthquake and tsunami tidal wave caused severe damage to the plant, which is still facing the very real possibility of complete nuclear meltdown. On April 5, 2011, the local government of the Fukushima area said that waters around the nuclear facility contained radiation levels at 7.5 million times greater than government approved levels, seemingly leaking from one of the failing reactors. These issues are all complicated and they will have to be dealt with over time by the Japanese people as a nation.

Sources:

http://www.npa.go.jp/archive/keibi/biki/higaijokyo_e.pdf

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-japan-nuclear-20110406,0,2697428.story

http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474979191821

National Environmental Consequences

The consequences of the 9.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Japan have affected the islands in many ways especially on a national level. The aftershocks during the first week were multiple small earthquakes that exceeded 4.0 magnitudes and continued to shake the islands. According to the U.S Geological Survey, the island of Honshu has moved about eight feet (2.4 meters). The results have now caused tsunamis affecting the entire northeastern coast of Japan. Across Japan there was a widespread loss of electricity. The loss of electricity has required a significant need for additional natural gases and oil. Japan already is the third largest consumer of oil and will continue to consume heavily because of this massive disaster. The economic loss is substantial, setting the country back at least $309 Billion.  This places the country of Japan at red alert. The characteristics of red alert include: high causalities, extensive damage, and it usually requires a national and international response. This disaster has affected the entire nation as a whole, but it has created consequences for the rest of the world as well.

Sources:

www.physorg.com/news/2011-03-quake-japan-feet-usgs.html

http://geology.com/news/category/japan.shtml

Global Environmental Consequences

An 8.9 magnitude earthquake caused Japan’s tsunami, which killed hundreds of people as it engulfed the eastern coast of Japan. Taking everything in its path, including boats, cars, homes and people, the massive wave moved further inland to Japan’s dry land.  It also sped eastward in the opposite direction across the Pacific Ocean at approximately 500 mph, hitting Hawaii and the U.S. west coast.  Sirens sounded for hours on the Hawaiian Islands and on the west coast before dawn, and roadways and beaches were mostly empty as the smaller tsunami struck.

In Hawaii, the ocean water rushed up onto the roadways and into hotel lobbies.  Low-lying areas in Maui were also flooded as 7-foot waves crashed ashore. Large waves also hit, causing damage to at least two California harbors. Thankfully, the waves did not emerge over a 20-foot protective wall blocking the rest of the cities, and no serious injury or home damage was immediately reported. However, damage estimates in Crescent City were in the millions, and more boats and docks were hit in Santa Cruz on California's central coast.

Scientists warned residents that the first tsunami waves are not always the strongest, and officials informed the residents and dwellers of Hawaii and along the west coast that they should remain vigilant. However, the tsunami warning was downgraded to an advisory in Hawaii, and Governor Neil Abercrombie said the islands were "fortunate almost beyond words."

Effects on the Earth

            The massive earthquake that struck northeast Japan March 11 has shortened the length of Earth's day by a fraction and shifted how the planet's mass is distributed. The intense temblor has accelerated Earth's spin, shortening the length of the 24-hour day by 1.8 microseconds, according to geophysicist Richard Gross at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The earthquake also shifted Earth's axis by about 6 1/2 inches (17 centimeters).

Nuclear Plant Radiation

The Nuclear Plants radiation could contaminate the world's food supply with toxic radiation, say experts. If the plant’s radioactive particles get caught in the jet stream and travel the world over, they will end up contaminating crops and grazing fields. "The explosions could expose the population to longer-term radiation, which can raise the risk of cancer, including thyroid cancer, bone cancer and leukemia. Children and fetuses are especially vulnerable," said Lam Ching-wan, a chemical pathologist at the University of Hong Kong. "For some individuals even a small amount of radiation can raise the risk of cancer. The higher the radiation, the higher the risk of cancer."

According to experts, there are many ways in which radioactive particles can travel. They can bind to rain droplets and fall with the rain, or they can just travel in the wind and be inhaled by animals and humans. Radioactive particles are dangerous and can be embedded in soil and water where they contaminate the environment, wildlife, crops, and drinking water. Recently, officials have tracked the radioactive plume as it has drifted eastward on prevailing winds from Japan, affecting both the West and East Coast and the Atlantic Ocean, moving towards Europe. Health experts assure that the plume’s radiation had been diluted in its journey to the coasts and currently there are no health consequences in the United States.                                                                       

Sources: 

http://www.npr.org/2011/03/11/134446769/tsunami-warning-wides-to-include-hawaii

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/03/13/scitech/main20042590.shtml

http://www.naturalnews.com/031729_food_supply_radiation.html#ixzz1IiEjUATn

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/22/world/asia/22plume.html