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Hydrosphere Hazard Map set: Tsunami

Tsunamis observations in the city of Sendai, Japan.


(Local Scale)

A Tsunami is a large sea wave that produces surge of water on the


land, Tsunamis are caused earthquakes, seaquakes, submarine
landslide and undersea volcanic eruption. Most Tsunamis occur in
the region known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, in this region
systematic and volcanic activity are very common, approximately
eighty percent of Tsunamis take place in this region. The map
above shows the city of Sendai in northern Japan, this city is still
recovering from the disastrous 2011 Tsunami produced by a 9.0
magnitude earthquake that shook northeastern Japan. The
Earthquake was so immense that sea level on North American
beaches rose during the following years, the cost of the damage
caused by the Earthquake and Tsunami was estimated to be 300
billion dollars, the costliest natural disaster of all times. The
Tsunami also caused a nuclear meltdown in this region, some of
the water in the region is still radioactive. There were more than
15,000 deaths were confirmed by the Japan government. The

2011 Tsunami and Earthquake has been one the most deadly
natural disaster to ever happen in Japan many of the people
affected by it still live in a temporary government house. Ever
since the catastrophe the government has upgraded its Tsunami
warning system.

Tsunamis observation and causes in Japan.


(Regional Scale)

Japan is a country composed of many islands, and is also located


in the Pacific Ring of Fire, which makes Japan a vulnerable country
prone to Tsunamis. As one can observe in the map above the
majority of Tsunamis are caused by earthquakes and other times
by Volcanic Eruptions or landslides. The data shows a trend of
earthquakes of higher magnitude being the most responsible for
many deaths and impact of the Tsunami when it comes to water
height. Japan has upgraded its Tsunami warning system since the
disastrous 2011 Tsunami, in case of an earthquake one must first
protect oneself and wait for the shaking to stop and then move to
higher ground, it is important to stay away from power lines and
bridges according to the red cross. Japan is still in recovery mode

since the 2011 Tsunami, many officials believe it would take more
than 10 years for the region to recover from the disaster. The
country has also invested in new measures to predict in the future
when another Tsunami or Earthquake could strike the region, new
ways to rebuild building have been implemented. While there is
no way to predict when a Tsunami could happen, with the
innovations of technology now is easier to warm people from an
incoming natural hazard, Japan has taken this approach to invest
in new technology to be prepare for the next time one of these
tragedies occur.

Tsunamis around the world. (Global Scale)

The map above displays the cause of Tsunamis round the world,
most of Tsunamis taking place in the Pacific Ring of Fire. However
one the most disastrous Tsunamis in recent memory is the 2004
Indian Ocean Tsunami caused by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake,
killing more than 200,000 people. The Tsunami is observable in
the map above, it is the red dot located near the Indian Ocean,
and although the country is not visible it took place in Sumatra,
Indonesia. Another country with a rich history of Tsunamis is Chile

in South America, the la 2015 Tsunami caused millions of Chilean


to evacuate their homes after an 8.3 magnitude earthquake. The
best solution against Tsunami is to be alert about Tsunamis
warning system in ones local region, that way people can move
to higher ground. Tsunamis are responsible for some of the
worlds most devastated natural disasters, Tsunamis are
responsible for many deaths. Although Tsunamis are rare in
comparison to other natural Hazards one should always be
cautious, especially if one lives near the coast.

Works Cited
http://www.livescience.com/39110-japan-2011-earthquaketsunami-facts.html
http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/tsunami
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/naturaldisasters/tsunami-profile/

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