Japan Earthquake Essay

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami
A 9.0 magnitude earthquake (updated from the 8.8 magnitude by Japan Meteorological Agency on 13 March) occurred on 11 Mar 2011 in Japan at 05.46.23 GMT, hitting the northeast coast of Honshu, Japan. It is the fourth largest earthquake ever measured and also the biggest nuclear accident since Chernobyl. The worst affected area in Japan is the east coast of Tohoku region. Based on official Japanese government figures (10:00 hrs, 14 March), 3000 people are confirmed dead, 1962 injured with at least 1720 missing after a quake-tsunami. Figures are expected to rise. Various media sources report more than 10,000 estimated deaths. Rescue operations are ongoing and almost 600,000 persons have been evacuated in Japan. There has been some improvement in the provision of electricity and water services. 1.5 million households remain without electric power (2.7m without power 13 March) and at least 1.4 million households are without running water (13 prefectures without water compared to 17 prefectures 13 March).   Ten nuclear reactor units automatically shut down after earthquake in three separate nuclear power plant, Onagawa, Fukushima Daiichi and Fukushima Daini. The automatic shut down went as planned for the Onagawa plant. The problem with the cooling systems in both Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1 and 3 are no longer ongoing. An explosion was reported at Daiichi (Reactor No.1) on 12 March, but it was not related to nuclear reaction. A second explosion was reported at Daiichi (Reactor No.3) on 1100 hrs 14 March, but also not related to nuclear reaction. The reactor containers for both units were not damaged directing the explosion. Four persons were injured in reactor No.1’s explosion and 10 were injured in reactor No. 3’s explosion. High levels of radiation were not detected in the 4 persons injured during Reactor No.1 explosion. Radioactivity has been detected outside the units in Fukushima Daiichi. Increased levels were reported 0200 hrs 14 Mar...