MEDC

MEDC-JAPAN

The Japan earthquake occurred on the 11th March 2011. It was the largest earthquake that they have had since records began. It was originally measured as a 8.9 magnitude earthquake but this was later increased to a magnitude 9.0 as more detailed readings camein from seismographs and other equipment. This is an enormous earthquake and it is estimated that it released 10,000 times more energy than the magnitude 6.3 one in Christchurch, New Zealand, 17 days earlier - however energy released is different to magnitude. They are well prepared within 10 minutes after the earthquake it had been calculated that a tsunami had been formed and warnings were sent out using the Japan earthquake warning system. Text messages were sent to phones, alerts appeared on all TV channels, sirens went off and police alerted residents to the danger. However, people had became desensitised by so many false alarms and assumed tsunami walls could handle it, which meant that many did not evacuate. There have been over 11,000 Japan earthquake victims so far (as of 30/03/11), with over 17,000 still missing - many of which will also be dead. The predicted death toll is 18,000 however this is likely to increase.  

•Within minutes of the Tsunami, Japan alerted its emergency response teams.

•An estimated 100,000 people began the disaster relief mission.

•The Japanese Red-Cross mobilised 230 emergency teams to the worst affected areas to provide medical and moral support to victims.

•On 2^nd April, Japan and the USA joined forces to search for bodies along the eastern coast.

•Shelters were set up in schools for those who lived in close proximity to the Fukishima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

•Many NGO’s (Non-governmental organisations) responded to the hazard. For example: Shelter box sent 1,500 boxes of aid (Tents, Sleeping bags and bottled water) within the first month of the disaster.