Environmental Impact of Japan Earthquake

The 2011 Japan earthquake, known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was one of the most destructive and costly natural disasters in history. The 9.0 magnitude earthquake that originated on the ocean floor was responsible for more than $300 billion dollars worth of damage. The earthquake also resulted in the creation of tsunamis that would not only affect large areas of Japan, but would spread to affect other parts of the world as well. While the financial toll of the earthquake is of great importance and will obviously take a lot of effort to recover from, the environmental toll of the Great East Japan Earthquake may be even more important. Additionally, unlike the financial aspects of the earthquake, some of the environmental issues may be permanent.

Japan's earthquake had a direct effect on the earth. It has been discovered that the powerful quake was so strong that it actually slightly shifted the earth's axis. After the quake, the Earth's axis differed by 25cm or 9.8 inches. A shift in the Earth's axis marks changes in the tilt of the Earth, which results in a slight shift in the length of the day as well. After Japan's earthquake days became shortened by 1.8 microseconds. Though 1.8 microseconds may not seem like a significant change, the fact that one natural disaster can have this effect is quite incredible.

Besides the noted effects of the earthquake on the Earth's axis, the disaster also affected the physical features of many areas as well. The earthquake and subsequent tsunamis led to notable decrease in land elevation in many areas. One of the main issues is land subsidence. This occurs when large amounts of water are removed from land, causing them to permanently compress and lose ground surface height. In over a dozen Japanese cities, this problem was experienced. The drops in elevation ranged anywhere from .29 meters/.95 feet in Soma, Fukushima to .84m/2.75 ft in Rikuzentakata, Iwate. Drops in land elevation are an important environmental occurrence. When areas have experienced land subsidence, they become permanently more susceptible to flooding and are therefore are more likely to be at the mercy of high tides. Soil liquefaction was also a problem experienced as a result of the earthquake. Unlike land subsidence, soil liquefaction is not actually a result of any water, but instead the direct result of stress from an earthquake. It loosens earth to such a degree that the soil that once was a solid source of support begins to behave similarly to a liquid. This quicksand-like effect is very dangerous. As a result of land liquefaction, stability in certain areas is greatly affected.

One of the most frightening environmental effects of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake was an increase in radiation exposure. The massive earthquake not only damaged homes and farming lands, but also had a very negative effect on the stability of many of Japan's nuclear reactors. Many of Japan's nuclear power plants, most notably Fukushim I and II lost cooling system functions, which caused a worldwide scare. Scientists have yet to discover whether or not there will be dramatic long term effects of the radiation leaks experienced in Japan. It is clear however that there were effects when the events happened. Residents living near reactors were forced to evacuate to avoid exposure and it was discovered that overall radiation levels were higher in much of Japan. Some studies even showed slightly higher radiation levels as far west as the United States. As a result, many Japanese workers, who had to work on the failing reactors, were exposed to dangerously high levels of radiation. It was reported that some workers were exposed to the equivalent of thousands of x-rays a day. In reports that were just as disturbing, it was found that radioactive iodine was detected in tap water in multiple Japanese cities. In the coming years, it will be seen if the radiation problems of the 2011 earthquake will remain prevalent.