1. Overview of the March 11, 2011 Disaster in Tohoku Japan
Adapted from the lecture, “Japan’s Geological Factors” by Professor Emeritus Daniel I. Okimoto
Stanford University

2. Japan’s Regions

3. March 11, 2011 Disaster 9.0 Earthquake
An aerial view of damage in the Tohoku region with black smoke coming from the Nippon Oil Sendai oil refinery. Source:

4. Tsunami **

5. **

6. Destruction
Photo courtesy of Rich Lee, 2011.

7. **
Dead or missing: 18,500–20,000
Photo courtesy of Rich Lee, 2011.

8. 7.9 Great Kanto Earthquake 1923
Over 100,000 dead!
Adapted from Susan M. Pojer, Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York, The Geography of Japan

9. Earthquake Comparison
1923 The Great Kanto Earthquake
2011 The Great Tohoku Earthquake
A magnitude of 7.9 (on the Richter scale)
Dead or Missing: 105,385
Tsunami: max. 10m
Fire due to strong winds were the main cause of death.
Buildings not earthquake resistant
A magnitude of 9 (on the Richter scale).
Dead or Missing: 20,000
Tsunami: max. 40.5m
Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown & explosion
Radiation, power outages
At least 30 years to safely close down, and the process would cost $19 billion.
Source: Wikipedia and USA today “ Experts: 30 years till Japan can close nuke plant,” Oct. 31, 2011

10. On the “Ring of Fire”
Adapted from Susan M. Pojer, Horace Greeley High School, Chappaqua, New York, The Geography of Japan

11. Tectonic Plates

12. Nuclear Meltdown **
Source: Majiroxnews, 3/15/2011 & 9/3/2011

13. Radiation
Source: Majiroxnew 6/26/2011

14. Cooperation and Reconstruction
Source: