2011 history in Japan

From January 1-31, earthquakes hit Argentina, Chile, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Tonga. By the following month that was from February 4-21, earthquakes struck Burma, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Sulawesi, Fiji and New Zealand. The occurrence of this terrible disaster has not stopped there and it continues to strike portions of lands on Earth in this March, with the most notable earthquake accompanied by tsunami hitting Sendai, Japan on March 11, 2011.

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The 9.0 magnitude earthquake marked the “black Friday” in Japan’s history as this was the worst earthquake Japan ever experienced with a death toll of over 1,500 people. The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings along Japan’s Pacific coast and to about 20 countries and its occurrence brought the most destructive tsunami waves over 10 meters travelling over 10km inland accompanied with smaller waves visiting other countries several hours after the quake struck Japan.

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Japan Tsunami »

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The combination of a stronger quake and tsunami in Japan has created extreme destruction to roads, factories, buildings, railways, housing areas, dams and even some areas were in fires.

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The climax of this tragic event was the melting down of two nuclear reactors, which also caused a chemical explosion that prompted immediate evacuations of the affected areas with over 200,000 people being evacuated, especially those who were within a 10km radius of the Fukushima II Nuclear Power Plant and a 20km radius of the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant.

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Following a nuclear blast at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2011 in Fukushima, Japan, the leakage of radiation is the most concerned global issue. While Japan is in a critical situation, another explosion from the reactor which wounded 6 workers took place on the following day or Monday, March 14, 2011, and this explosion further increased the alarming state of Japan.

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Even if the Japanese government attempts to control this incident, still, there is the concern for radioactive particles that may be carried away by winds or suspended in the air. If it rains today or in the last few days in your area, you are advised not to go under the rain. If you happen to get caught in the rain, you must use a raincoat or an umbrella to protect yourself from this harmful substance, even if it may just be a drizzle! The radioactive particles which may cause cancer, burns or even alopecia may become trapped in the rain.

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The recent earthquake in Japan is just like the Cyclone Nargis and the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami bringing more localized unimaginably, deadly and destructive shake resulting in more inescapable casualties.

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