Earthquakes: MEDC Response

Film info

Film summary

In 2011, an earthquake occurred off the West coast of Japan. As a More Economically Developed Country, Japan was better prepared for the disaster. But could any degree of preparation have prevented the wide devastation caused by the subsequent tsunami?

Key facts

• On March 11th 2011, a magnitude nine earthquake occurred kilometres off the east coast of Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami.
• Japan (an MEDC) has adapted infrastructure to cope with an earthquake's primary effects – with quake resistant buildings and well-resourced emergency services.
• The secondary effects of the earthquake were severe, as the tsunami destroyed entire towns and caused a nuclear crisis.
• The short-term response utilised evacuation procedures, and in the weeks that followed resources were available for the areas worst affected.