How Japan's Tsunami Compares to History's Deadliest - An 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck 80 miles east of Japan's northern city of Sendai Friday, triggering a tsunami. The tsunami killed hundreds of people; many others are still missing. Japanese authorities expect the tsunami death toll to climb.
The earthquake in Japan triggered tsunami warnings not only for that country but for 50 others, including the U.S. The U.S. alert affects the west coast of the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Friday's earthquake occurred in what is called the Japan Trench subduction zone and was the most intense to strike the area since 1973. An M7.8 earthquake in the Japan Trench killed three in 1994 while an M7.7 event killed 22 and injured more than 400 people in 1978. According to the USGS, foreshocks in the days before the quake included a 7.2 magnitude and three more measuring greater than M6, all on March 9.
As Japanese residents struggle to cope with the quake damage and brace for aftershocks, they are faced with the additional threat of flooding due to the tsunami.
Here's the rundown on tsunamis:
Toy lies in front of destroyed house - A toy lies in front of a destroyed house in the devastated city of Ofunato. Rescue teams from the US, Britain and China began assisting in the search for survivors following the devasting earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11
Tsunami at a Glance
A tsunami is a seismic sea wave, not a tidal wave as it is sometimes mistakenly called. Various underwater disturbances- including landslides, volcanic eruptions, and meteorite landings, in addition to earthquakes- can cause a tsunami.
Characteristics of Tsunami Waves
Tsunamis are fast moving, traveling at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour. When they slam into coastal areas, they can produce waves 100 feet or higher. Tsunami waves move outward in all directions from their origination point, increasing in height as they approach the shore.
Tsunami Risks
Drowning is the number one tsunami risk but there are others. Tsunamis can induce flooding, contaminate drinking water, and rupture gas lines and tanks, causing fires.
Tsunami Safety
"If you can see the wave you are too close to escape it," according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A noticeable recession in the water away from the shoreline is "nature's tsunami warning," FEMA says. Anyone noticing such recession should move out of the area immediately.
When the tsunami subsides, flooding and contamination risks remain. Flooded and damaged areas should be avoided until emergency officials give the "all clear."
Deadliest Tsunamis in History
These tsunamis are among the deadliest in history:
The earthquake in Japan triggered tsunami warnings not only for that country but for 50 others, including the U.S. The U.S. alert affects the west coast of the continental United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.
Friday's earthquake occurred in what is called the Japan Trench subduction zone and was the most intense to strike the area since 1973. An M7.8 earthquake in the Japan Trench killed three in 1994 while an M7.7 event killed 22 and injured more than 400 people in 1978. According to the USGS, foreshocks in the days before the quake included a 7.2 magnitude and three more measuring greater than M6, all on March 9.
As Japanese residents struggle to cope with the quake damage and brace for aftershocks, they are faced with the additional threat of flooding due to the tsunami.
Here's the rundown on tsunamis:
Toy lies in front of destroyed house - A toy lies in front of a destroyed house in the devastated city of Ofunato. Rescue teams from the US, Britain and China began assisting in the search for survivors following the devasting earthquake and ensuing tsunami on March 11
Tsunami at a Glance
A tsunami is a seismic sea wave, not a tidal wave as it is sometimes mistakenly called. Various underwater disturbances- including landslides, volcanic eruptions, and meteorite landings, in addition to earthquakes- can cause a tsunami.
Characteristics of Tsunami Waves
Tsunamis are fast moving, traveling at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour. When they slam into coastal areas, they can produce waves 100 feet or higher. Tsunami waves move outward in all directions from their origination point, increasing in height as they approach the shore.
Tsunami Risks
Drowning is the number one tsunami risk but there are others. Tsunamis can induce flooding, contaminate drinking water, and rupture gas lines and tanks, causing fires.
Tsunami Safety
"If you can see the wave you are too close to escape it," according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A noticeable recession in the water away from the shoreline is "nature's tsunami warning," FEMA says. Anyone noticing such recession should move out of the area immediately.
When the tsunami subsides, flooding and contamination risks remain. Flooded and damaged areas should be avoided until emergency officials give the "all clear."
Deadliest Tsunamis in History
These tsunamis are among the deadliest in history:
- Indian Ocean tsunami, 2004: 150,00 killed or missing in 11 countries. This tsunami unleashed the energy equivalent of 23,000 atomic bombs, according to the USGS.
- Java, 1883: Krakatou volcano erupted, triggering tsunamis that killed 36,000 people.
- Honshu, Japan, 1896: 27,000 killed.
- Chile, 1868: 25,000 killed.
- Mindanao, Philippines, 1976: Between 5,000 and 8,000 killed.
- Chile, 1960: 2,300 killed.
- In the U.S., the deadliest tsunami occurred in Hawaii in 1946. 165 people, including school children, were killed when a tsunami wiped out Hilo's waterfront. The government established a Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii in the aftermath of that tsunami. ( news.yahoo.com )
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