Above is a picture of the tsunami that struck the northeastern coast of Japan, before the waters receded. It was caused by the earthquake that hit minutes before.
The earthquake happened where the Pacific plate is subducting underneath the plate beneath Honshu (scientist aren’t sure which plate exactly). There’s been tension building up for years and years as edge of the Pacific plate is being dragged down. The earthquake happened when the tension was suddenly released, and the edge of the plate snapped up. This caused the tension/pressure to move out across Japan, and shake the earth as the pressure was transferred to other plates. As this pressure built up again, aftershocks occurred.
The tsunami happens when the plate snaps up, and, since the plate boundary is under the ocean, the shock pushes the water up. The water forms a dome, and spreads out across the ocean as a large wave. The deeper the water is when the tsunami forms, the faster it travels. Unfortunately, the plate snapped at a location near the Japan Trench (my previous location), where the ocean depth is quite great.
This created a very fast moving wave, that struck quickly after the earthquake struck. It was very destructive along the northeast coast of Japan. Even towns that had tsunami walls were not safe, for the earthquake dropped the coast two feet.
In the wake of the destruction, there is only the remains of houses, and bodies of those who lost their lives in the disaster. It was a bleak sight as I trudged through the debris, clearing it away as I helped prepare to rebuild the houses that stood there only a month ago.
It’s not easy, but it’s the least I can do to help some of the thousands of people retaliate from this disaster. I only hope my work positively impacted their lives.
Here’s to looking hopeful,
Carly
oh my goodness this is so sad.... help Japan!
ReplyDeleteThanks!