On New Year’s Day, multiple powerful earthquakes hit Japan’s western region and caused a tsunami warning for Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama coastal areas. Utility provider Hokuriku Electric Power reported some buildings collapsed as well as 36,000 households losing power due to this disruption.
Presenters on Japanese public broadcaster NHK advised residents of earthquake-prone Japan to evacuate and take shelter, prompting evacuation plans.
A tsunami is a chain of fast moving waves in the ocean caused by a powerful earthquake
Tsunamis are large waves that can destroy coastal towns and cause loss of life. Tsunamis usually form when earthquakes generate underwater disturbances that shift ocean water; other causes for these movements could include subterranean landslides, volcanic eruptions or meteorite impacts; however earthquakes remain the most likely triggers for tsunamis.
As they approach shore, tsunamis change drastically due to shifting water depth affecting wavelength and amplitude.
As such, the initial wave to hit a coastline may not be the largest one; as more waves arrive they may build up into an inundation wall of water that poses dangers near shore. Tsunamis also can generate strong currents that dislodge ship moorings and carry debris inland – hence it is wise to heed warnings and evacuate areas that could potentially experience one.
Tsunamis are dangerous
Tsunamis can produce massive waves that destroy harbors and coastal areas. Tsunamis also cause extensive property damage, including sinking ships and inundating cities inland. Tsunami waves travel fast – sometimes covering entire islands within hours – while they can grow huge enough to inundate cities inland.
Tsunamis are typically caused by earthquakes on colliding tectonic plates, but can also result from volcanic eruptions or undersea landslides, meteorite strikes or meteorite impacts.
Tsunamis are huge waves that travel hundreds of miles per hour. Although sometimes called tidal waves, their source lies outside of ocean tides. Tsunamis can be extremely hazardous due to their immense power. If a tsunami warning is issued, listen for updates via local news or NOAA weather radio and follow evacuation signs carefully – beaches or waterways should be avoided at all costs.
Tsunamis cannot be prevented
Tsunamis are powerful waves generated when an earthquake takes place below the ocean floor and travel at high speed across its surface, creating massive devastation along coastal regions, killing people and demolishing buildings. While tsunamis cannot be avoided completely, there are ways you and your family can protect yourselves and one another: first determine whether you live or work within a tsunami-hazard zone and second create a family emergency plan which includes evacuation routes and ways of communicating should an evacuation happen or someone becomes separated.
An impressive series of earthquakes struck Japan on Monday, including one measuring 7.6. Buildings collapsed, some people were displaced, Shinkansen bullet trains were temporarily suspended and footage shown on public television showed cars shaking and shops swaying violently. A spokesperson from Japan’s disaster management office urged residents to evacuate as quickly as possible: ‘Every minute counts so please move swiftly toward higher ground. A major tsunami warning has also been issued for coastal areas located within Ishikawa, Niigata and Toyama prefectures.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in the northwest Pacific Ocean. Located within an immense volcanic zone known as “Pacific Ring of Fire,” which contains more than 75 percent of active volcanoes worldwide and 90% of earthquakes, Japan comprises mostly mountains with heavy forests crisscrossed by swift rivers; only 15 percent of its land suitable for agriculture exists, and its population largely clustered into urban centers.
Japan, commonly referred to as “Land of the Rising Sun,” is vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis and typhoons which can cause significant damage. Furthermore, Japan hosts 10 active volcanoes of global significance with Mount Fuji being its tallest peak; last eruption took place in 1707! Kyushu boasts hot springs while Hokkaido and Honshu both experience cold climates with long winters – making Kyushu an attractive choice.
