Overview of the Great Hanshin Earthquake
– The Great Hanshin earthquake occurred on January 17, 1995, in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.
– It measured 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale and had a maximum intensity of 7 on the JMA Seismic Intensity Scale.
– The earthquake lasted for approximately 20 seconds.
– The focus of the earthquake was located 17km beneath its epicenter, on the northern end of Awaji Island.
– Approximately 6,434 people died as a result of this earthquake.
– The earthquake resulted in the death of over 6,400 people.
– The epicenter was near the city of Kobe in Japan.
– The earthquake was caused by the movement of the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate.
– The earthquake caused extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure in the affected areas.
– Many buildings collapsed or were severely damaged.
– The earthquake also triggered fires, which further contributed to the destruction.
– The port of Kobe was significantly affected, disrupting trade and transportation.
– The total economic loss from the earthquake was estimated to be around $100 billion.
– The Japanese government declared a state of emergency and mobilized rescue and relief operations.
– International aid and support were provided to assist in the recovery efforts.
– Temporary housing was provided for the displaced residents.
– The government implemented measures to improve earthquake preparedness and strengthen building codes.
– The recovery and reconstruction process took several years to complete.
– The earthquake highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and response.
– Building codes and regulations were revised to make structures more resilient to earthquakes.
– Emergency response systems and communication networks were improved.
– The disaster prompted a greater emphasis on public education and awareness about earthquake safety.
– The experience of the Great Hanshin Earthquake informed future disaster management strategies in Japan.
Causes and Impact of the Great Hanshin Earthquake
– Most of the largest earthquakes in Japan are caused by subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate or Pacific Plate.
– The Great Hanshin earthquake belonged to a third type called an inland shallow earthquake.
– Earthquakes of this type occur along active faults.
– The earthquake occurred along the Nojima Fault on Awaji and the Suma and Suwayama faults in Kobe.
– Observations suggest that the area was subjected to east-west compression.
– The earthquake caused disruptions of water, electricity, and gas supplies.
– The majority of deaths occurred in cities and suburbs in Hyōgo Prefecture.
– One in five buildings in the worst-hit areas were completely destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.
– The damage to highways and subways was significant.
Building Codes and Infrastructure Damage
– The collapsed structures were constructed properly according to the building codes in force in the 1960s.
– The steel-reinforcement specifications in the 1960s regulations were inadequate and revised several times.
– The latest revision in 1981 proved effective but only applied to new structures.
– High-rise buildings built after the 1981 building code suffered to a lesser extent.
– Traditional houses with heavy tiled roofs were more susceptible to collapse.
– Ten spans of the Kobe Route elevated expressway were knocked over, blocking a major road link.
– Half of the elevated expressway’s piers sustained damage.
– Many surface highways were clogged due to the collapse of higher-capacity elevated highways.
– Most railways in the region were damaged, with only 30% of the Osaka-Kobe railway tracks operational.
– The Kobe Municipal Subway resumed limited service the day after the earthquake.
Nomenclature
– Outside Japan, the earthquake and disaster are commonly referred to as the Kobe earthquake.
– In Japan, the earthquake and the disaster caused by it is called The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster.
– The earthquake is often shortened to The Great Hanshin Earthquake Disaster.
– The scientific literature refers to the earthquake as the 1995 Southern Hyōgo Prefecture Earthquake.
– The name was given by the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Volunteerism, Disaster Planning, and Memorials
– The earthquake led to a significant increase in volunteerism in Japan.
– The year 1995 is considered a turning point for volunteerism in Japan.
– The government declared January 17 as a national Disaster Prevention and Volunteerism Day.
– The government designated a national Disaster Prevention and Volunteerism Week.
– Various events were organized to encourage voluntary disaster preparedness and relief efforts.
– The earthquake prompted changes in Japan’s disaster response policies.
– Rubber blocks were installed under bridges to absorb shock.
– Buildings were rebuilt further apart to prevent collateral damage.
– The Ground Self-Defense Forces were given automatic authority to respond to earthquakes.
– Control over fire response was centralized in Tokyo and Kyoto.
– The Kobe Luminarie is an annual event held in December to commemorate the earthquake.
– A street in Kobe is decorated with multicolored lights donated by the Italian government.
– Large 1.17 digits are illuminated in Higashi Yuenchi Park every year on January 17.
– The memorials serve as a reminder of the earthquake’s impact.
– The memorials attract visitors and promote remembrance. Source URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hanshin_earthquake
