Japan Earthquakes and Tsunamis

By: Scott Doup

What you need to know before traveling to Japan

Before you travel to Japan you need to know that there are a lot of earthquakes and tsunamis that occur. They are number one in the world for earthquakes and tsunamis. You need to understand the basics of why theses natural disasters occur in this area. Also what you need to do in case one happens and what the government is doing to stop theses disasters.

Why is Japan so Prone to having earthquakes and tsunamis?

Japan is number one country for the most earthquakes and tsunamis. A lot of people wonder why Japan is so prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. "The Pacific plate moves fast in tectonic terms, at a rate of 9 cm (3.5 inches) a year. This leads to the rapid buildup of huge amounts of energy. As the Pacific plate moves down, it sticks to the overhead plate and pulls it down too. Eventually, the join breaks, causing the seafloor to spring upwards several meters. The plate tectonics of the region are complex, and geologists are not sure which plate Japan sits on. Candidates include the Eurasian plate, the North American plate, the Okhotsk plate, and the Honshu micro plate" (Sample). This is an incredible amount of energy being built up over the years and once it is released it leads to make problems and natural disasters. We can't prevent this so we just need to be prepared for when they strike.

How is the wall that Japan build going to stop tsunamis?

Japan finally decided on building a hug wall to stop tsunamis. But will it be enough to stop such a large wave? “Japanese authorities have unveiled plans to build a giant 250-mile long sea barrier to protect its coastline from devastating tsunamis. According to the proposals, the £4.6bn ($6.8bn) barrier would reach 12.5m high in some places – stretching taller than a four story building” (Independent). I think this wall should help a lot but it will still get water over but not that much to do serious damage to all the citizens. This will save a lot of money in the long run and it will also save a lot of lives in Japan.

Are people becoming more aware when earthquakes and tsunamis occur?

People are staying more calm and not panicking which is a great sign. A recent video of a school classroom shows “As a result television footage from school and offices in Tokyo during Friday’s quake showed workers and students behaving with extraordinary calm and composure as buildings shook violently, sending files tumbling from desks and books from shelves.”(Foster). This is a good sign because they are understand that there is no need to panic and scream because they can't stop it and there are becoming more prepared. They have a better chance of not getting hurt if they stay still.
Tohoku Tsunami Strikes Sendai Japan 2011 New Footage
Earthquake Japan Mar 11 2011 Ten Minutes Raw Footage by First-hand Eyewitnesses



Sample, Ian. "Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: What Happened and Why."The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 11 Mar. 2011. Web. 08 Apr. 2016.

"Japan Wall." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2016.

Foster, Peter. "Japan Earthquake: Country Better Prepared than Anyone for Quakes and Tsunamis." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2016.