The Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami of Japan happened on a Friday in March. The massive tsunami that this earthquake caused created massive amounts of destruction that is still being dealt with in Japan today. This incredible disaster killed about 16,000 people in total and injured over 6,000. A total of 2,572 people are said to be missing. This earthquake is said to be the most powerful earthquake to have ever hit Japan. 

Damage from the Japan earthquake was tremendous. The tsunami caused by the earthquake hit the area with 30-foot waves, damaging many nuclear reactors. This damage turned into massive amounts of nuclear destruction. The tsunami caused equipment failures which caused nuclear meltdowns from the loss of a coolant. This resulted in the release of radioactive materials. 

Even though a massive amount of deaths were caused from this disaster, the warning system that was put in place reduced what it could have been. After the first shock wave was detected, alerts were automatically sent out through television and cell phones. This gave people more time to prepare for what was still yet to come. Along with saving people, the warnings also caused industrial and energy facilities, as well as many transportation services to shut down immediately. Detection buoys in the Pacific Ocean were also able to detect the upcoming tsunami, which then sent warning to several different nations. 

The damage from this disaster is still being dealt with to this day. This disaster cause major economic impacts, as well as resulted in a shortage of food, water, shelter, and medicine. Many other countries sent search and rescue teams to help look for survivors in response to this major crisis. The Japanese government assembled Self-Defense Forces to help, and aid organizations from around the world responded along with the Japanese Red Cross with $1 billion in donations. Additionally, Japan had to deal with the destruction of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Because of the release of radioactivity from the power plant, it is now a long-term environmental hazard in need of a costly clean up. The total economic cost to Japan has been estimated at $309 billion. This includes loss of housing, damages to businesses and infrastructure in the worst affected areas. 

Recovery is still in process, but improvements have been made, especially along the coast. Ports have been reconstructed, farmland has been restored, and the waterfront has revitalized. Full recovery will take many more years of continued efforts.

Sources:
http://www.japan-guide.com/blog/recovery/140418.html
http://www.technologyreview.com/view/423279/how-japans-earthquake-and-tsunami-warning-systems-work/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_T%C5%8Dhoku_earthquake_and_tsunami
http://www.livescience.com/39110-japan-2011-earthquake-tsunami-facts.html