Sergio Alvarez

Professor Dastrup
GEOG 1700
13 April 2016
Japan Tsunami Signature Assignment
It happened really fast You werent just running, you were running for your life. This
quote was uttered by one of the survivors of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami that struck Japan, Kenichi
Murakami. It was devastating to see how much peril the citizens of Japan went through as their
towns were destroyed by the powerful Earthquake and Tsunami that hit in 2011. The map to the
left is an image of the area affected by the
Tsunami; the area in blue was hit. Although it
doesnt look like much, the Tsunami claimed
20,000 dead or missing people.
Due to Japans physical geography, it is not
something out of the ordinary to expect tsunamis
and earthquakes. There are three reasons that come
to mind when I speak of Japans vulnerability: its
proximity to the ocean, where it lies on plate boundaries, and where it rests on Earth. Japan is an
island located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean. It is in the perfect area to be tormented by
oceanic storms. Secondly, as you can see in the second map, Japan lies along the edge of
convergent plate boundaries. Convergent plate boundaries press against each other and if enough
pressure is applied and eventually released devastating earthquakes and tsunamis can result.
Finally, Japan is located in an area called the Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire is the perimeter

around the Pacific Ocean that contains the majority of the worlds earthquakes and volcanoes.
This can be problematic and dangerous for lands located near the Ring of Fire, such as Japan.
According to those who witnessed the
traumatic catastrophe, Japan was prepared for
Tsunamis just not one at this level of
destruction. Japan had tsunami warnings
illustrated by the image on the right. They had
tons of evacuation
areas that they
could go to for
safety (atop of hills, within school buildings, etc. Finally, they also
had levees, which are giant walls built to keep the water out of
towns. Unfortunately, however, the warnings were not quick enough. Most people said that if
they had stayed where they were at any longer and not run towards
safety they may have not survived the rapid waves. The evacuation
centers were ambushed by the waves and many were taken. People
thought they were safe there but instead died, stated one of the
survivors. The levees also proved devastating as they were
demolished by the aggressive waves.
The Tohoku Tsunami was so devastating not only due to its primary effects (damage
directly from the disaster) but from a majority of secondary effects (damage from human error,
carelessness, etc.). The first example that comes to mind was the use of nuclear fuel, illustrated
by the image above, for backup generators. These backup generators were flooded and with no

way to re-stabilize the reactors that came in contact with the tsunami many nuclear powered
generators exploded. This hazard led to hydrogen gas explosions throughout cities which
released radiation into the air and started fires everywhere. One citizen stated that it was
devastating to see the whole town engulfed by flames and that it was like being in hell.
Another reason such devastating effects occurred was because in the past scientists warned
Japanese towns to build taller levees to keep water out. Very few heeded the recommendation of
the scientists and were more prepared for this disaster; however, many did not listen and suffered
the dire consequences.
Suffering through the Tsunami that hit Japan in 2011 taught its citizens what they did well
and what they needed to change to limit the effects of a future deadly catastrophe. Japan was on
the right track with all of the things they tried to implement to protect themselves during a
tsunami. However, they only prepared for basic, common tsunamis and not for the worst. In the
future, Japan needs to build taller levees, heed warnings quicker, and prepare for the worst.
Radiation backup generators proved to be bad ideas and should be replaced. Citizens should heed
the warnings of scientists and demand protection and safety from the government, so that things
can improve. If Japanese citizens
decide not to stand up, then nothing
will change. One day again, history
will repeat itself. Let us hope that
Japan will be prepared to face the
waves on that day.