Lessons of the Kobe Earthquake. As bad as the toll from this earthquake in New Zealand, it won't be as devastating as the shallow, 7.0 earthquake that struck essentially beneath Port au Prince, Haiti, in January last year. Scientists have detailed the amazing first two hours of Japan's massive magnitude 9.0 earthquake that struck on March 11. This week marks the fifth anniversary of the Haiti earthquake, one of the deadliest in recent years. source: IBN Live. Teach your students about plate tectonics using these classroom resources. Burning and collapsed buildings in Kōbe, Japan, after the January 1995 earthquake. Released Conference Paper Why the Bantul Earthquake 2006 was so destructive? Earth Science. Which plates meet at Kobe? Portions of the Hanshin Expressway linking Kōbe and Ōsaka also collapsed or were heavily damaged during the earthquake. The earthquake triggered a large tsunami which is responsible for taking most of the lives. The Earth’s surface may seem motionless most of the time, but it’s actually always moving, ever so slowly, at a scale that is difficult for humans to perceive. 5:46am, 17th January 1995. © 1996 - 2021 National Geographic Society. Magnitude is a measure of the release of energy at the earthquake’s source. This is because the physical conditions in each place are different. When did the Kobe earthquake happen? By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Why does a magnitude 7.4 earthquake result in so much destruction in Turkey while a magnitude 7.2 earthquake produces relatively little damage in Hawai`i? This type of plate margin is known as a destructive plate margin. any area on Earth with one or more common characteristics. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. The Kobe-Osaka highway lies toppled on its side in eastern Kobe in the aftermath of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of Jan. 17, 1995. 12 Of The Most Destructive Earthquakes In History. It ended up claiming over 137,000 lives, so it’s quite clear that the Earthquake had at least a 7 rating on the Richter Scale. The Hanshin region (the name is derived from the characters used to write Ōsaka and Kōbe) is Japan’s second largest urban area, with more than 11 million inhabitants; with the earthquake’s epicentre located as close as it was to such a densely populated area, the effects were overwhelming. Privacy Notice |  Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Earthquakes are more common in some parts of the world than others, because some places, like California, sit on top of the meeting point, or fault, of two plates. Many freeways and buildings were destroyed, despite the strict building regulations, and 5000 were killed. One of the reasons for the quake's destructive power was its shallow depth. Kobe Earthquake Economic Effects Regions are the basic units of geography. Its estimated death toll of 6,400 made it the worst earthquake to hit Japan since the Tokyo-Yokohama (Great Kantō) earthquake of 1923, which had killed more than 140,000. Pacific, Eurasian and Philippine plates. Terms of Service |  The earthquake was notable for exposing the vulnerability of the infrastructure. The earthquake, which wreaked havoc in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal on Saturday about noon local time, was the strongest quake in the world so … …1995, following the January 17 Kōbe earthquake that devastated the Kōbe area in west-central Japan. The fact the Kobe earthquake was in the middle of January, which made it difficult for people. There are many places which have experienced some of the worst…,Earthquakes are a daily occurrence on our planet. However if the … The movements of these plates can account for noticeable geologic events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and more subtle yet sublime events, like the building of mountains. 250,000 people were left homeless. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. However the statement within the question, in my opinion, isn’t true if you compare these two earthquakes. The quake cost more than $100 billion in damage, and the Kobe government spent years construct ing new facilities to attract back the 50,000 people who left after the quake. Kobe, city, capital of Hyogo prefecture, west-central Honshu, Japan. system or order of a nation, state, or other political unit. It was thus named The Great Hanshin Earthquake. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. The government was heavily criticized for its slow and ineffectual response, as well as its initial refusal to accept help from foreign countries. The earthquake that hit Kobe, a city of 1.4m in central Japan, struck in the early hours of the morning when most people were still sleeping, possibly saving many lives. The newer houses however, had a greater chance of not being completely destroyed because they would have ben more recently built, and made with stronger material. However, earthquakes often cause more destruction than hurricanes, and it can make a person to wonder why this is. New Zealand is no stranger to the results of plate tectonics. Building codes in California require builders to meet standards set to minimize structural damage in an earthquake and coastal cities have building code to reinforce roofs and walls to resist a storm’s high winds. Another earthquake occurred in the area in 2003, which was recorded to be about 8, but due to advancements in technology, almost no deaths occurred. You cannot download interactives. The earthquake, which wreaked havoc in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal on Saturday about noon local time, was the strongest quake in the world so far this year. Photograph by Karen Kasmauski, National Geographic. The Reason Earthquakes are so Destructive. Because Kobe was one of the safest place from earthquake, and that no one expected a major quake. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. These tectonic plates rest upon the convecting mantle, which causes them to move. Kōbe earthquake of 1995, also called Great Hanshin earthquake, Japanese in full Hanshin-Awaji Daishinsai (“Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster”), (Jan. 17, 1995) large-scale earthquake in the Ōsaka-Kōbe (Hanshin) metropolitan area of western Japan that was among the strongest, deadliest, and costliest to ever strike that country. For example, if you live in northern California you are more likely to be impacted by a wildfire, landslide, or earthquake than if you live in Charleston, South Carolina, but less likely to be hit by a hurricane. A crane and several construction vehicles lay toppled on a fractured road in Kobe, Japan, after a 7.2-magnitude temblor shook the quake-prone country. If no button appears, you cannot download or save the media. Pressure builds and is released as an earthquake. Since the year 1981, houses in Japan have been made earthquake proof. People died from freezing conditions and the outbreak of influenza and other diseases. The city and its surroundings constitute the western portion of the Osaka-Kobe … Hurricanes can span hundreds of miles. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. People were not put into temporary accommodation for up to two weeks after the event because the Japanese government originally refused assistance from foreign countries to help with the aid effort. In the worst-affected areas, the quake’s intensity rated IX on the Mercalli scale , … The active San Andreas fault runs through California and causes regular earthquakes, while the warm waters transported by the Gulf Stream can intensify a storm heading for South Carolina. In the aftermath of the Kōbe disaster, roads, bridges, and buildings were reinforced against another earthquake, and the national government revised its disaster response policies (its response to the 2004 quake in Niigata prefecture was much faster and more effective). Washington, DC 20036, National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Kobe is Japan's 6th largest city with the world's 6th largest port. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. The earthquake was notable for exposing the vulnerability of the infrastructure. The earthquake of Kobe occurred at 5.46 am, on Tuesday January 17th, 1995. the earthquake was caused by a destructive plate boundary; the much denser … Authorities who had proclaimed the superior earthquake-resistance capabilities of Japanese construction were quickly proved wrong by the collapse of numerous supposedly earthquake-resistant buildings, rail lines, elevated highways, and port facilities in the Kōbe area. Kobe Earthquake An earthquake occurred on January 17th, 1995, at 5:46 am in the south-central part of Japan. 7.2 Richter scale. The Kōbe quake’s devastation included 40,000 injured, more than 300,000 homeless residents, and in excess of 240,000 damaged homes, with millions of homes in the region losing electric or water service. The Blind Thrust earthquake is an earthquake that happens on a never-before noticed fault line, this earthquake isn’t very strong but sometimes they are the most destructive. Urheber*innen It later earned the name as the Kobe Earthquake due to the amount of damage that Kobe, Japan suffered. The Kobe earthquake was caused by pressure building as the Philippine Sea plate is subducted underneath the Eurasian plate. news; Why this Christchurch earthquake was deadly. The Kobe Earthquake disaster took many innocent lives from the Japanese people in 1995. Earthqua The earthquake hit at 5:46 am on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1995, in the southern part of Hyōgo prefecture, west-central Honshu. Also, most of the houses were traditional Japanese buildings which has very heavy clay roof tiles … Freigegeben Konferenzbeitrag Why the Bantul Earthquake 2006 was so destructive? An emergency transportation network was also devised, and evacuation centres and shelters were set up in Kōbe by the Hyōgo prefectural government. The Sichuan earthquake was 7 times stronger than the Kobe earthquake so again there is no surprise that Sichuan was worse than Kobe. The main life loss was due to primary and secondary, physical and human factors. Its epicentre was the northern part of Awaji Island in the Inland Sea, 12.5 miles (20 km) off the coast of the port city of Kōbe; the quake’s focus was about 10 miles (16 km) below the earth’s surface. On average, earthquakes kill about 10,000 people each year. So throughout I will state some of the factors which contributed to the very high death toll. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/event/Kobe-earthquake-of-1995, Tokyo-Yokohama (Great Kantō) earthquake of 1923. Most of the largest earthquakes in Japan are caused by subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate or Pacific Plate, with mechanisms that involve either energy released within the subducting plate or the accumulation and sudden release of stress in the overlying plate. large settlement with a high population density. Some buildings had cross-bracings which allowed the building to twist and turn so it can move with the earthquake.The causesThe Kobe earthquake was caused by a destructive margin along which the Philippine plate moved under the Eurasian plate. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Building knocked off its foundation by the January 1995 earthquake in Kōbe, Japan. On September 1st, 1923, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 hit the Kanto region and destroyed most of Tokyo and Yokohama. This is what caused a number of deaths. Japan's biggest earthquake of all time could have been even bigger. Although most of the buildings that had been … Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Learn more about earthquakes with this curated collection of classroom resources. So What? In such earthquakes, the hypocenter is located less than 20 km below the surface and therefore, they can be highly destructive even at low magnitude. The Earth’s crust is broken up into a series of massive sections called plates. Kobe Earthquake Economic Effects. The movements of these plates can build mountains or cause volcanoes to erupt. Destructive. The earthquake, which wreaked havoc in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal on Saturday about noon local time, was the strongest quake in the world so … Join our community of educators and receive the latest information on National Geographic's resources for you and your students. Corrections? When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Friction causes the Pacific Plate to stick. Hurricanes.

This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. A + A-Print Email. Hurricane Katrina caused enormous damage. More recently, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Kobe in 1995, killing more than 6,000 people. The Kobe quake was a result of an east-west strike-slip fault where the Eurasian and Philippine plates interact. Calculations by all major earthquake monitoring agencies in the US and Europe put the depth between 7 and 10 miles. A three way destructive plate boundary occurred as a result of a plate movement along the border between the plates. She or he will best know the preferred format. That, however, was not the only reason why the Kobe earthquake was destructive, and that becomes pretty obvious as you go through some facts about it. having to do with the physical formations of the Earth. Also called lithospheric plate. The Kobe earthquake was also in December so many people had nowhere to go in the middle of the night in winter and the risk of hyperthermia was extremely high. Basically, the Kobe earthquake was a ‘shallow inland earthquake,’ i.e., an earthquake which occurs along the active faults. why was it so difficult to decrease the damage with further preparations - some older buildings were not able to withstand the earthquake - although they are aware of the regular tectonic activity in Japan, they could not accurately predict exactly when the earthquake would strike. Image: Simon Baker / Reuters . Maggie Koerth 8:44 am Tue Feb 22, 2011 . South West Japan on the east coast . Earth’s tectonic plates fit together in a jigsaw puzzle of plate boundaries. The focus was very shallow. All rights reserved. The Great Hanshin Earthquake Disaster of 1995 was one of the worst in Japan’s history, killing 6,433 people and causing more than $100 billion in damages. Next is the Interplate earthquake, which accounts for 90 percent of the total amount of earthquakes so far. Omissions? What was the magnitude of the Kobe quake? Japan is located in three tectonic plate boundaries; the Pacific, Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates. Houses like those were not earthquake proof so people who lived in them were in greater danger of their house, and lives suffering from any earthquake. ... week as the first urban area since World War II to sustain a direct hit from an earthquake more powerful than 7 on the Richter scale. Why does Japan have so many earthquakes? The environmental hazards you face depend on where you live. This earthquake registered as 7.2 on the Richter scale and caused mass destruction. Why the Earthquake in Italy Was So Destructive. The process of subduction is not smooth. It lasted about 20 seconds and registered as a magnitude 6.9 (7.3 on the Richter scale). For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. fracture in Earth's crust where tectonic movement is left (sinistral) or right (dextral), but rarely vertical. Earhquakes, News 5:58 PM. The earthquake’s magnitude was measured between 9.1 and 9.3, making it the third-most powerful quake since 1900. Learn more about environmental hazards with this curated resource collection. What type of plate boundary does Kobe lie on? | ASSOCIATED PRESS SHARE Jan 16, 2020 ... An earthquake also impacts a large area, though for different reasons. Where is Kobe? The number of deaths may have been cut down if the earthquake was not in January. People around the world watched reports in shock at the vast destruction that was caused. The earthquake occurred along the destructive plate boundary where the Pacific and the Philippine Plate (oceanic) meet the Eurasian (continental) plate. Somewhere around 150 quays – wharfs built parallel to the shoreline, at Kobe port were damaged by this earthquake, and this – in turn, resulted in disastrous effects on the economy of Japan as trade from the port of Kobe was hampered by the damage caused to it. The resulting earthquake was about 1,400 times stronger than the 6.9 magnitude Kobe earthquake that killed more than 5,000 people and injured 26,000 in 1995, said Emily So, a … Ban went to the city in February, and by the end of the summer his relief work had brought 22 paper-tube cabins to shelter some of those who had lost their homes and a “paper…. Code of Ethics, On January 17, 1995, a major earthquake struck near Kobe, Japan, killing more than 6,000 and making more than 45,000 people homeless.4. The transportation network was completely paralyzed, and the inadequacy of national disaster preparedness was also exposed. The Kobe Earthquake 1995 The Turkish ... to the east of Japan. Updates? THE REASON why a earthquake with a lower magnitude was so destructive lies in how close the epicentre was to the surface. 1145 17th Street NW These environmental hazards shape human activity regionally. However, a quake and the aftershocks last far longer, and the destructive force isn’t usually wind or storm surges. Fires spread as a result of broken gas mains. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. the sudden shaking of Earth's crust caused by the release of energy along fault lines or from volcanic activity. Why was the Kobe quake destructive? Instead, it is from the very land the homes, businesses, highways, bridges, and underground pipes rest upon, or from which they receive support. The quake cost more than $100 billion in damage, and the Kobe. Authorities who had proclaimed the superior earthquake-resistance capabilities of Japanese construction were quickly proved wrong by the collapse of numerous supposedly earthquake-resistant buildings, rail lines, elevated highways, and port facilities in the Kōbe area. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. massive slab of solid rock made up of Earth's lithosphere (crust and upper mantle). Why was the Christchurch Earthquake so destructive? A complex underground collision ripped apart Earth's crust, killing more than 100 people Some of the most destructive earthquakes occurred almost a century ago, while others happened in the recent past. The clash of these plates can also cause violent earthquakes, where Earth’s surface shakes. Kobe Earthquake: Facts and Figures » The Kobe earthquake occurred at 05:46 AM local time on January 17, 1995 (08:46 PM UTC on January 16, 1995). Also called When those plates scrape against each other and cause an earthquake, the results can be deadly and devastating. Sometimes, numbers are far higher. The epicenter of the Kobe earthquake was 34.6 N 135.0 E, Awajishima Island, 20 miles south of Kobe. The major difference is that the earthquake in Turkey occurred in a densely populated region, whereas the Hawai`i earthquake affected a remote, sparsely populated region. Although most of the buildings that had been constructed according to new building codes withstood the earthquake, many others, particularly older wood-frame houses, did not. National Geographic Headquarters The majority of Earth’s volcanoes and earthquakes take place along the Ring of Fire. The Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 . Contributing to the devastation was the fact that Kathmandu lies in a basin filled with about 2000 feet of sediments from a former lake. Kōbe was the hardest hit city with 4,571 fatalities, more than 14,000 injured, and more than 120,000 damaged structures, more than half of which were fully collapsed. Homes were lost so people had nowhere to sleep at night and it would have been freezing. Both hurricanes and earthquakes can be devastating in property damage and in lives lost. Sustainability Policy |  Earthquakes of these types are especially frequent in the coastal regions of northeastern Japan. The Ring of Fire, also referred to as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. The surface of the Earth is made up of tectonic plates that lie beneath both the land and oceans of our planet. Kobe, Osaka, and nearby Kyoto are the centers of the Keihanshin Industrial Zone, the second largest urban and industrial agglomeration in Japan. Explore the boundaries between Earth's tectonic plates with MapMaker, National Geographic's classroom interactive mapping tool. The Philippine plate moves under the Eurasian plate because the Philippine plate is an Oceanic plate. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Why the Nepalese quake was so destructive. Lies in a basin filled with about 2000 feet of sediments from a lake... 17Th, 1995 why was the kobe earthquake so destructive interactive mapping tool the Eurasian plate because the Philippine Sea plates to the devastation was fact. I.E., an earthquake occurred on January 17th, 1995 in lives lost cite. Was to the east of Japan to exclusive content and caused mass destruction the.. Mercalli scale, plates fit together in a jigsaw puzzle of plate tectonics these. And it would have been even bigger that struck on March 11 this week marks the fifth anniversary of Haiti! 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