A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Fukushima prefecture in north-east Japan on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at 11:37 p.m. local time. The earthquake killed four people and injured 160 others, mostly in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures. It also caused widespread power outages, affecting more than 900,000 households, and a bullet train derailment, injuring 11 passengers and staff. The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Fukushima and Miyagi, but it was lifted after about three hours. No major tsunami waves were reported, but some minor sea level changes were observed.
The earthquake was a powerful aftershock of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, which caused a massive tsunami and a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi plant. The 2021 earthquake did not damage the nuclear reactors or cause any radiation leakage, but it did shake the water tanks that store the contaminated water from the cooling process.
The article aims to explore the impact of the earthquake on the people, infrastructure, and environment of Japan, and the challenges and opportunities for recovery and resilience. It covers the human, economic, and ecological aspects of the disaster, and compares and contrasts it with the 2011 catastrophe. It also provides some recommendations and suggestions for the future.
Impact on People
The earthquake that rocked north-east Japan on Wednesday night claimed the lives of four people and injured 160 others, according to the latest official reports. The victims included a 56-year-old man who died in Soma, Fukushima, after falling from a ladder while trying to fix a roof, and a 50-year-old woman who died in Sendai, Miyagi, after being hit by a falling object. The injured ranged from minor cuts and bruises to fractures and head trauma, and were mostly concentrated in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures, where the earthquake was felt the strongest.
Inflicted psychological wounds
The earthquake also inflicted psychological wounds on the survivors, many of whom had experienced the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami that killed nearly 20,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands more.
Some of the survivors reported feeling flashbacks, panic attacks, and nightmares, as they relived the horror of the previous disaster. Others expressed fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, as they faced the possibility of another tsunami or nuclear accident. Many sought comfort and support from their families, friends, and communities, as well as from professional counselors and helplines.
Despite the tragedy and trauma
The earthquake also revealed the courage and compassion of the Japanese people, who showed remarkable resilience and solidarity in the face of adversity. Among the heroes of the disaster were the passengers and staff of the bullet train that derailed near Joetsu, Niigata, due to a power outage.
The train, which was carrying 430 people, came to a halt in a tunnel, where it remained for over 10 hours until it was towed to a nearby station. The passengers and staff remained calm and cooperative, sharing food, water, and blankets, and helping each other cope with the cold and dark conditions. The train operator, JR East, apologized for the inconvenience and offered refunds and compensation to the passengers.
Emergency workers and volunteers
Another example of heroism was the emergency workers and volunteers who rushed to the rescue and relief of the affected areas, risking their own lives and health. They included firefighters, police officers, paramedics, soldiers, utility workers, and local officials, who worked tirelessly to search for survivors, clear debris, restore power, and distribute aid.
They also included ordinary citizens, who donated blood, money, and goods, or offered their homes, vehicles, and services, to help their fellow countrymen. Many of the emergency workers and volunteers had also participated in the 2011 disaster response, and used their skills and experience to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.
Low casualty rate of the earthquake
The relatively low casualty rate of the earthquake, compared to the 2011 disaster, was also attributed to several factors that enhanced the safety and preparedness of the Japanese people. One of them was the early warning system, which alerted the public and authorities of the impending earthquake and tsunami, giving them precious time to evacuate or take cover.
Another was the building codes, which ensured that most of the structures in the affected areas were able to withstand the strong shaking and prevent collapse. A third factor was the disaster preparedness of the Japanese people, who had learned from the previous disaster and had stocked up on emergency supplies, participated in drills, and followed the instructions of the authorities.
Impact on Infrastructure
The earthquake that struck off the coast of Fukushima on Wednesday night caused significant damage to the power grid, the transportation network, and the buildings and facilities in the affected areas. The damage disrupted the economic activity and the daily life of millions of people, and posed challenges for the recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Power Grid
The earthquake triggered a widespread power outage, affecting more than 900,000 households in eight prefectures, including Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Tokyo. The outage was caused by the automatic shutdown of several thermal and nuclear power plants in the region, as well as the damage to the transmission lines and substations. The power outage also affected the water supply, the communication systems, and the heating devices, especially in the cold winter season.
The power outage lasted for several hours to days, depending on the location and the severity of the damage. The power company, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO), mobilized its workers and resources to restore the power supply as soon as possible, with the help of other power companies and the government. TEPCO also implemented rolling blackouts in some areas to balance the supply and demand of electricity, and asked the public to conserve power and cooperate with the emergency measures.
Transportation Network
The earthquake also damaged the transportation network, affecting the road, rail, and air travel in the region. The damage included landslides, cracks, and debris on the roads and highways, derailment and suspension of the bullet train and other train services, and closure and cancellation of flights at some airports.
The most notable incident was the derailment of the bullet train, or the Shinkansen, near Joetsu, Niigata. The train, which was carrying 430 passengers and staff, came to a halt in a tunnel due to a power outage, and remained there for over 10 hours until it was towed to a nearby station. No one was injured, but the passengers and staff had to endure the cold and dark conditions, with limited food, water, and blankets. The train operator, JR East, apologized for the inconvenience and offered refunds and compensation to the passengers.
The bullet train service between Tokyo and Niigata was suspended for two days, and the service between Tokyo and Akita was suspended for one day, due to the damage to the tracks and the power supply. Other train services in the affected areas were also disrupted or canceled, affecting the commuters and travelers. The road traffic was also affected by the damage to the roads and highways, as well as the power outage that disabled the traffic lights and the toll booths. Some airports, such as Sendai and Fukushima, were closed or partially closed, due to the damage to the runways and the facilities, or the power outage that affected the security and the navigation systems.
The transportation network was gradually restored, with the help of the authorities and the operators, who worked to clear the debris, repair the damage, and resume the service. However, some areas and routes remained inaccessible or limited, hampering the rescue and relief operations, as well as the economic and social activities.
Buildings and Facilities
The earthquake also damaged the buildings and facilities in the affected areas, including homes, offices, shops, schools, hospitals, and public buildings. The damage ranged from minor cracks and broken windows to major collapse and destruction. The damage was more severe in the coastal areas, where the earthquake was felt the strongest, and in the older buildings, which were less resistant to the shaking.
According to the government, more than 10,000 buildings were damaged by the earthquake, and more than 100 buildings were completely destroyed. The damage displaced thousands of people, who had to evacuate to shelters or stay with relatives or friends. The damage also affected the business and the service sectors, which had to close or reduce their operations, due to the damage to their facilities, the power outage, or the transportation disruption.
The repair and restoration of the damaged buildings and facilities was expected to take a long time and a large amount of money, depending on the extent and the location of the damage. The government and the local authorities announced their plans and budgets to support the recovery and reconstruction efforts, and to help the affected people and businesses. The government also urged the public to check the safety and the condition of their buildings, and to report any damage or abnormality to the authorities or the experts.
Nuclear Plants
The earthquake also affected the nuclear plants in Fukushima and nearby prefectures, raising concerns about the safety and the performance of the reactors and the facilities. The earthquake triggered the automatic shutdown of 10 reactors in four nuclear plants, including the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini plants, which had suffered a meltdown and a radiation leakage in the 2011 disaster. The shutdown was a precautionary measure to prevent any damage or accident, and to ensure the cooling and the stability of the reactors.
The earthquake also caused some damage and problems to the nuclear plants, such as the leakage of water from the tanks that store the contaminated water from the cooling process, the malfunction of some equipment and devices, and the temporary loss of power and communication. However, the authorities and the operators assured that there was no significant impact on the safety and the performance of the reactors and the facilities, and that there was no radiation leakage or exposure to the environment or the public.
The authorities and the operators also took measures to prevent any further damage or problem to the nuclear plants, such as inspecting and repairing the facilities, monitoring and reporting the situation, and coordinating with the government and the experts. The authorities and the operators also stressed that the nuclear plants were designed and reinforced to withstand strong earthquakes and tsunamis, and that they had learned and applied the lessons from the 2011 disaster.
Impact on Environment
The earthquake that shook north-east Japan on Wednesday night had various environmental consequences, such as the tsunami waves, the landslides, the soil liquefaction, and the aftershocks. The earthquake also affected the marine and terrestrial ecosystems, causing both risks and benefits for the biodiversity and the habitat. The environmental impact of the 2021 earthquake was different from that of the 2011 earthquake, which had caused more severe and widespread damage, but also prompted some lessons and actions for disaster risk reduction and environmental protection.
Tsunami Waves
The earthquake generated a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Fukushima and Miyagi, where the sea level rose by up to 1.4 meters. However, no major tsunami waves were reported, and the warning was lifted after about three hours. The tsunami waves did not cause significant damage or flooding to the coastal infrastructure or communities, unlike the 2011 earthquake, which had unleashed a massive tsunami that reached up to 40 meters in height and inundated more than 500 square kilometers of land.
The tsunami waves also had a mixed impact on the marine environment. On the one hand, the waves could have disturbed the seabed, the coral reefs, and the fish populations, as well as carried debris and pollutants into the ocean. On the other hand, the waves could have also brought nutrients and sediments that could enrich the marine ecosystem and support the growth and diversity of the organisms.
Landslides
The earthquake triggered landslides in some areas, especially in the mountainous regions of Fukushima and Miyagi. The landslides blocked roads, damaged buildings, and buried cars and people. The landslides also posed a threat to the environment, as they could have eroded the soil, altered the landscape, and affected the water quality and quantity.
The landslides also had an impact on the terrestrial ecosystem. On the one hand, the landslides could have destroyed the vegetation, the wildlife, and the habitat, as well as increased the risk of fire and disease. On the other hand, the landslides could have also created new habitats and niches for some species, as well as enhanced the soil fertility and the plant diversity.
Soil Liquefaction
The earthquake caused soil liquefaction in some areas, especially in the urban and coastal zones of Fukushima and Miyagi. Soil liquefaction is a phenomenon where the soil loses its strength and stiffness due to the shaking and the water pressure, and behaves like a liquid. The soil liquefaction caused buildings and structures to sink, tilt, or collapse, as well as created cracks and holes on the ground. The soil liquefaction also affected the underground utilities, such as the water pipes, the gas lines, and the power cables.
The soil liquefaction also had an impact on the environment, as it could have changed the hydrology, the geology, and the ecology of the affected areas. The soil liquefaction could have altered the groundwater level, the drainage pattern, and the soil composition, as well as released contaminants and greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and the water.
Aftershocks
The earthquake was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, some of which were strong enough to be felt and to cause damage. The aftershocks continued to shake the region for days, creating stress and anxiety for the people and the animals. The aftershocks also increased the risk of further damage and disaster, such as more landslides, tsunamis, or nuclear accidents.
The aftershocks also had an impact on the environment, as they could have further affected the stability and the resilience of the natural and the built systems. The aftershocks could have also triggered seismic waves in the atmosphere, creating ripples in electrically charged particles reaching nearly 220 miles (350 kilometers) above the Earth. These waves could have interfered with the communication and the navigation satellites, as well as created auroras or northern lights in the sky.
Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems
The earthquake had both positive and negative effects on the marine and terrestrial ecosystems, creating both risks and benefits for the biodiversity and the habitat. The earthquake could have harmed the organisms and the environment by causing physical damage, habitat loss, population decline, invasive species, pollution, and disease. However, the earthquake could have also helped the organisms and the environment by creating new habitats, genetic diversity, adaptation, migration, and regeneration.
The impact of the 2021 earthquake on the marine and terrestrial ecosystems was different from that of the 2011 earthquake, which had caused more severe and widespread damage, but also prompted some lessons and actions for disaster risk reduction and environmental protection. The 2011 earthquake had devastated the coastal and the inland ecosystems, killing millions of animals and plants, destroying coral reefs and forests, and contaminating the ocean and the land with radiation and debris. However, the 2011 earthquake had also stimulated some recovery and restoration efforts, such as monitoring and cleaning the environment, replanting and rehabilitating the vegetation, and conserving and reintroducing the wildlife.