Earthquake and tsunami devastates large parts of Japan

Friday 11th March 2011

Earthquake and tsunami devastates large parts of Japan:

A magnitude 9.0 earthquake has hit the north east coast of Honshu, Japan causing total devastation in numerous regions. A state of emergency has been declared.

The earthquake struck at 2:46pm local time, with the depth of 24.4 km, 231 miles (373 km) north east of the capital Tokyo and 80 miles (130 km) east of Sendai on the island of Honshu. The earthquake is reported to be the highest magnitude to hit the country and one of the largest recorded in the world. Large aftershocks measuring above 6 on the Richter scale are continuously being monitored and reported and believed to continue over the next few days.

A tsunami was also generated as a result of the earthquake and numerous countries around the pacific were put on high alert by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. The tsunami, measuring 10 feet in height inundated the city of Sendai, adding to the earthquake damage, causing devastating destruction and destroying and washing away everything in its path including properties and cars. Over 200 people were found dead in this city alone, adding to the death toll of 350. 500 people are known to be missing so far and the death toll is estimated exceed 1000 as the disaster unfolds.

On 12th March, the death toll rose to 1200. 9500 people are also unaccounted for and an estimated 200,000 people have been displaced and made homeless.

The destruction is unprecedented and widespread; buildings and properties have been destroyed or washed away by the lethal power of the tsunami, if not damaged and crushed by the earthquake already. Miles of roads and other infrastructure have been destroyed, trains carrying passengers went missing; assumed to be washed away as well and fire has been causing further destruction. An oil refinery as well as other industrial buildings are continuing to burn 24 hours after the earthquake.

A dam that was damaged by the earthquake collapsed and washed away homes in its path. Another phenomena that occurred as a consequence of the displacement of the water during the earthquake, was the creation of a whirlpool. Astonishing footage captured showed how boats were being pulled into the whirl pool. It is not known whether people were still on board the boats.

A nuclear power plant also put authorities on high alert leading to the evacuation of an estimated 3000 people when the cooling system failed to shut down during the earthquake. Fears of radiation leak occurring were put to rest when the situation gained controlled with the help of emergency coolants. However, on 12th March an explosion occurred at the power plant, injuring 4 workers and releasing radioactive material. The population within 20 km of the power plant have been order to evacuate immediately while experts work on averting further catastrophe from occurring.

Luckily no serious damage or loss of life was reported when tsunami, travelling at 800km per hour (500 miles per hour) with heights up to 6 feet struck the coasts of countries including; Hawaii, Philippines, Australia, China, New Zealand, the west coast of south and north America and numerous small Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Japan is a country exposed to numerous earthquakes and tsunamis; therefore the country has the most technical earthquake and tsunami proof engineering solutions as well as a population who is aware off these hazards. The Japanese population are well trained to respond to these hazards from an early age; however no one could have been prepared for this catastrophic disaster.

As the disaster unfolds in Japan over the coming days, the full scale of the damage will be visible along with the unfortunate increasing death toll.