Geography

• 17th January 1995
• Earthquake measured 7.2 on the Richter scale.
• Included the Philippine, Eurasian and Pacific plate.
• Happened at 5:46am, taking people by suprise.
• Devastated port as well as Osaka and Kyoto.

Primary effects.

• 300,000 buildings destroyed.
• Bridges, roads and railways destroyed.
• Gas and water mains ruptured..
• Hanshin Expressway (elevated Dual carriageway) collapsed.
• 40,000 people injured. 6,343 people died.
• Fires engulfed parts of the city.

Secondary effects.

• 200,000 people left homeless.
• Fires raged across the city due to broken gas mains.
• Aftershocks caused more damage and deaths.
• Businesses had to close and would take months to restore.
• Looting started to occur, creating more problems for police.
• Damage caused was in excess of $220 billion.

Immediate/short term responses.

• Friends and neighbours searched through rubble for survivors.
• Emergency services provided help when access was possible.
• Shopping centres such as 7-Eleven opened up to provide emergency medical facilities.
• Motorola provided mobile phone connection free of charge.

Long term responses.

• Rebuilding of roads and bridges.
• Railways 80% operational within a month.
• One year later the port was 80% operational, but much of container port was lost.
• Changes made to building standards to prevent further damage to new buildings.