Kobe Earthquake

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Kobe Earthquake

  • Population: 1.4 million
  • Date: 17th January 1995
  • Time: 5:46am
  • Magnitude rating: 6.9 
  • Kobe is an indutrial city
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Causes

  • Japan loacted along major subduction zone
  • Philippines plate (Oceanic crust) is forced downwards onto the Eurasian plate (Continental crust)
  • located on a minor fault - Nojima fault
  • 30 to 50km long rupture
  • Prediction was absent 
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Damage

  • $100 billion damage (2.5% of Japans GDP)
  • 67,500 buildings fully collapsed
  • 55,000 buildings partially collapsed (20% of CBD buildings were usable afterwards)
  • 250,000 made homless
  • 85% schools damaged
  • 175 fires (55 immediate)
  • 6,400 dead
  • 35,000 injured
  • 600 shelters for 237,000 people
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Problems

  • Unemployment rose
  • local industries relocated or decreased production quantities 
  • port activity transferred elsewhere
  • affected Japanese economy 
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