1. The Japanese earthquake & tsunami
By Isabel Raikes

2. What Happened?
On the 11th March 2011 a massive earthquake hit Japan which caused a terrible tsunami, costing lots of people their lives. Both the quake and the tsunami lead to damage and destruction in towns and villages near by. Following that was the terrible Nuclear power plant explosion.

3. How did it happen?
Earthquakes are caused when the tectonic plates collide together to cause the earth to shake. When the earth shakes, this can cause disruption under the water. That is how the tsunami comes into this. Together they can be extremely strong and powerful and can lead to all sorts of damage.

4. Effects...
The Japanese earthquake has lead to lots of awful effects, some better than others. These are just a few of them....
The tsunami
The power station explosion
14,000 homes destroyed
17,000 people missing
10,000 definitely dead

5. Nuclear power station
In Fukushima, a town along the east coast of Japan, there was a colossal explosion due to the quake and tsunami. Because of this a dangerous gas, called radiation, has been let loose. Unfortunately, this has been found in water and food which could cause serious illness or disease. Towns and villages have been evacuated within 12 kilometres of the nuclear power plant.

6. Did you know?
Worst hit by the earthquake and the tsunami were towns and villages along the east coast of Japan, such as Sendai and Fukushima...