FFF (25)- Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

You’d think with the magnitude of the earthquake in Japan earlier this week that we would have felt at least a little quiver, but no- nothing.  Whilst Japan was rumbling as much as my stomach in Vietnam, Korea was sitting as peacefully as a day on the beach. 

Although the quake did not physically affect the Korean peninsula, it moved the people.  The typically self-centered Korean population put aside their abhorrence, stemming from a long history of military combat, thirty-five years of brutal Japanese occupation, and the current debate over Dokdo Island (a topic to be revisited), and opened their doors, hearts and wallets.

The tsunami forcefully hits into Japan's east coast.

While the South Korean government sent aid in the form of naval support and helicopter assistance in remote areas, South Korean superstars and companies donated thousands to millions of dollars to their eastern neighbors.  Actor Bae Yong-joon, aka Yonsama, dug 890,000 USD deep into his personal savings.  And Samsung made a significant contribution of 100 million yen ($1.22 million).

And perhaps those ruthless northern neighbors finally decided to show a hint of geniality and set aside their cultural differences.  Reportedly, North Korea’s rigid leaders softened up and donated $500,000 to the Japanese as a relief fund… OR DID THEY?  A little birdy tells me this is just a hoax.  Shocking.  The facts don’t add up… a country suffering from starvation donates thousands of dollars.  Hmm… That’s kinda ballsy of NK- looking for attention while one of the strongest countries in the world is crippling.  LOW.BLOW.NORTH.KOREA.

Reports have mentioned that the tsunami reached 6 miles
inland, destroying everything in its path.

But despite the aid from countries, thousands are still turning up deceased.  Who could forget Taylor Anderson's story, the first American reported dead due to the March 11^th Earthquake and Tsunami?  A hero in the eyes of her children, as she made sure each one returned home safely before she herself made way for her temporary home.

And now days removed from this natural disaster, I’ve decided to indulge in topic I’ve realized that I know little about.  Living in the bubble of the earthquake-less east coast of the U.S., never before had I realized the plethora of earthquakes that Japan has endured over its years.  Just through visiting Wikipedia you’ll immediately notice the extensive list of recorded Japanese earthquakes. 

But after doing some necessary research, I’ve realized that not only is Japan an earthquake hotspot, but it is located right on the edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire, in addition to the U.S.’s west coast, Peru, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the more recently rumbling countries, Chili and New Zealand.  This lovely Pacific Ring of Fire not only consists of areas that are highly susceptible of earthquakes but also have a high risk for volcanic activity. 

Needless to say, I’m grateful that I’ve chosen to work for GEPIK and not JET and that Japan was kind enough to completely shield South Korea from the tsunami monstrosity that the quake produced.

The image above represents the wave height from the tsunami
produced by the 2011 Japanese Earthquake, with black representing
the largest waves and yellow the smallest.  The blue ares are areas
unaffected by the tsunami.  As you can see, just west of Japan,
the East Sea is completely calm, as Japan completely shielded
Korea from any forces of waves.

 

Several quick facts (as reported by American Scientific):

Magnitude, according to USGS: 9.0
Duration of strong shaking reported from Japan: three to five minutes
Greatest distance from epicenter that visitors to the USGS Web site reported feeling the quake: About 2,000 kilometers
Distance that the island of Honshu appears to have moved after the quake: 2.4 meters
Length of warning time Sendai residents had before tsunami hit: eight to 10 minutes
Number of confirmed foreshocks to the main shock: four
Magnitudes of the confirmed foreshocks: 6.0, 6.1, 6.1 and 7.2

Number of confirmed aftershocks: 401

To donate:

American Red Cross

Convoy of Hope

Catholic Relief Services