Tohoku, Japan Earthquake on 11th March 2011 Essay Example

Introduction

An earthquake can be described as a shaking of the earth's surface that leads to intense energy being suddenly released from the earth's lithosphere creating seismic waves. Usually, earthquakes are classified from weak quakes to violent tremors that in many cases spread across land causing immense destruction. The Tohoku earthquake is recorded as among the most powerful tremor in the world since modern recording was started and Japan's most devastating tremor. The quake was classified as violent triggering powerful tsunami waves that traveled for approximately ten kilometers into the land rising to a nearly forty-one meters high. Additionally, the quake resulted in the movement of Japan's main island by 2.4 meters shifting the earth's axis at approximately twenty centimeters.

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Specific geography of the issue

Earthquakes are usually as a result of volcanic eruptions or the collision of plate tectonics. Seismologists postulate that the Tohoku quake was a result of the Pacific plate sinking under the Eurasian plate where the friction of the plates' margins caused the plates to stick creating a tension build up. When the tension was released, there was intense, and rapid plates shift and subsequent energy release which was estimated to equal the annual energy output generated in the United Kingdom.

The Tohoku quake had a profound impact on the geology of the earth in addition to the physical damage caused by buildings as well as loss of lives. Seismologists note that the quake that is deemed to have resulted from the Pacific plate subducting under the underlying northern Honshu plate may have caused a five hundred kilometers rapture to the fault zone between Ibaraki and Iwate. More significantly, the tremor shifted northeaster parts of Japan towards North America by 2.4 meters resulting in the widening of some parts of Japan while the Pacific plate is estimated to have shifted twenty meters westwards. The shifting of the earth's axis resulted in planetary changes including the length of days shortening by approximately 1.8 microseconds. Furthermore, with shifting earth mass, the moments of inertia were significantly affected resulting in the earth rotating at a higher rate than before. Soil liquefaction was witnessed especially in reclaimed lands around Tokyo.

Possible solutions and prevalent policy proposals

Immediate response to the quake and the ensuing tsunami was undertaken with rescue operations being launched. The government convened emergency meetings to put in place a framework to help work through the aftermath of the quake. The meteorological departments issued warning of a looming tsunami following the quake. Arguably, the Japanese government ranks among the most prepared for disasters globally. However, the existing emergency resources and systems were not adequate to respond to the scale of destruction caused by the earthquake necessitating proposals for better systems.

First, the existing "disaster response basic law" provided a springboard for the response to the quake aftermath. The law provides that the municipal councils and government corporations initiate the disaster management operations plan. However, there are notable inefficiencies within the structure noting that a state of emergency can only be declared following a cabinet assessment of damage reports from affected areas. Subsequently, it would be difficult to institute the disaster response measures congruent to an emergency. As such, it would prove prudent and effective to declare a state of emergency immediately a disaster like the Tohoku earthquake occurs to ensure control of damage and loss of lives.

The disaster rescue law provides that the prefectures are responsible for the provision of basic requirements such as food, shelter, water, and clothes among other necessities. However, in such cases, many of the prefectures affected by the earthquake were devastated to an extent of not being able to provide much-needed assistance. A policy requiring the national government to take immediate responsibility of disasters of the Tohoku quake magnitude to ensure that the prefectures are not stretched beyond the limit.

The Tohoku earthquake had an impact on a nuclear power plant in Fukushima resulting in the need for eviction of the neighboring community. Noting that the country has other functioning nuclear power plants and the imminent danger being faced from the high magnitude earthquakes, need arises for comprehensive nuclear response policy. It is worth noting that the government through the prime minister declared a nuclear state of emergency directing the evacuation of residents living around the nuclear plant. As such, a policy should be instituted to ensure that in the occurrence of disasters like these, immediate evacuation of residents should be made with risk assessment being made. Furthermore, there is a need to create "safe grounds" where evacuated members of the public are accommodated until the appropriate measures are taken and surety given that there is minimal risk.

Stakeholders affected

The happening of the Tohoku earthquake created an impact on various stakeholders. One of the most affected stakeholders is the members of the public who lost their residential places, properties, and close friends as well as relatives. As such, the interests of the community members range from the need for basic needs such as food, water, clothing, and shelter in addition to other necessities. The community members would opt for better emergency response measures and timely notification by the meteorological department to reduce the damage meted on them. Additionally, the government, both central and prefectures form another significant group of stakeholders. It is worth mentioning that the government bore the costs of providing rescue services to the affected community members. Furthermore, the reconstruction o critical infrastructure and falls squarely on the government's responsibilities. Since it is the role of the government to keep its people safe, it would be in the best interest to put in place a working disaster management team that is well trained an adequately funded to provide the required assistance to the public in case of such disasters.

Another significant stakeholder is the weather and meteorological department since it is mandated with keeping abreast with the changes in the natural environment. It is the responsibility of the department to provide timely and accurate information to inform decisions by the community members as well as the government. It would be in the interest of the department to invest in modern equipment to provide reliable information for corrective action. It is worth noting that as a government department, there ought to be more budgetary allocations to for the proper functioning of the department.

Conclusion

The devastation caused by the Tohoku earthquake is considerably large. The occurrence of such a high magnitude quake has been ruled out especially with regards to the plates involved. Seismologists have indicated that the stress previously present from a similar quake may have subsided significantly making the area to have no immediate cause for concern. Furthermore, geodetic data show that there is reduced the seismic potential for the Pacific-Okhotsk plates. Some companies such as the Mori Building Company have been able to build modern facilities that can accommodate large populations should a disaster as Tohoku quake hit again. In my opinion, it would be critical for the government to offer support to such companies as well as invest in similar buildings provided there is technical know-how. Furthermore, I would propose the community members to offer the much needed financial and reputational incentives to companies such as Mori Building to ensure community safety through disaster countermeasures.

Bibliography

Goda, K., T. Rossetto, N. Mori, and S. Tesfamariam. Mega Quakes: Cascading Earthquake Hazards and Compounding Risks. Frontiers Media SA, 2018.

Matsui, S. Law, and Disaster: Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Meltdown in Japan. London, England: Routledge, 2018.

Takewaki, I. Performance of Innovative Controlled Buildings Under Resonant and Critical Earthquake Ground Motions. Frontiers Media SA, 2018.