The 1995 Kobe earthquake in Japan's port city of Kobe was caused by the subduction of the Philippines Plate under the Eurasian Plate. Measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, it resulted in over 5,000 deaths due to its shallow focus and proximity to densely populated Kobe. Primary effects included the collapse of an elevated highway and damage to ports and buildings. Secondary effects involved widespread fires from gas lines and power outages leaving millions without power or water. Short term responses involved search and rescue, medical aid, shelters and restoring utilities. Long term responses included rebuilding infrastructure, new building regulations, and counseling for earthquake trauma.

1. Kobe Earthquake 1995 Causes, effects and responses

2. In 1995 Japan's port city of Kobe was struck by an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale. How did it happen? Why did it happen? What were the effects? What were the responses?

3. Causes of the Quake Kobe is located on a compressional (destructive) plate boundary. The earthquake was caused by the Philippines Plate being subducted below the Eurasian plate. The Philippines plate is oceanic crust and so is denser and heavier. The plates jam together and pressure builds up- and is released as an earthquake when the pressure is released and the plate jerks forward. Given that Japan is an MEDC why did so many die? The earthquake in Kobe at 7.2 on the Richter Scale was not especially large-but over 5000 people were killed…. The main reasons were that the focus was shallow- meaning the seismic waves reached the earth’s surface quicker and the epicentre was very close to Kobe which is a densely populated port and Japan’s second largest city. This meant the damage was spectacular and disorientating.

4. Primary effects A primary effect is something caused by the earthquake- they are due to the shaking of the ground. They happen as the earthquake happens or immediately after. A 1km stretch of an elevated road called the Hanshin expressway collapsed- crushing motorists underneath The bullet train services were halted as many bridges were damaged 120 of the 150 quays in the port of Kobe were damaged and destroyed Nearly 200,000 buildings were destroyed/collapsed. huge cracks appeared in roads, pavements and in buildings

5. Secondary effects These happen after the ground has stopped shaking and they are caused by the damage done by the earthquake. Fires swept through the city caused by broken gas pipes and damaged electricity lines. Two million homes were without power Over 300 000 people were left homeless Large industries and employers such as Mitsubishi and Panasonic were forced to close At least 40,000 people suffered injury- many of these serious 10% of the cities infrastructure including roads was lost. The remaining roads became quickly blocked with major traffic jams- which delayed the emergency services Electricity supplies were cut off to more than 2 million homes and over 1 million homes were without water for 10 days

6. Responses Responses to earthquakes are the actions people take- these can be short term (done immediately or a few days after the event) or long term (happen over a number of months or years after the event). They are different to an effect- the effect is what the earthquake does whereas the response is the people’s reaction. A response is the reaction of people to a natural disaster- it can be a short or long term effort. An effect is caused by the earthquake itself- they can be short or long term

7. Short term responses The first responses were to rescue people who were trapped in buildings and give them medical treatment, evacuate people to shelters (tents) that were set up, install emergency water supplies for people and fire fighters. After a week bulldozers started to clear the streets and demolish buildings that had been seriously damaged and were at risk of collapse. The electricity supply was restored to most people within a week and some shops and schools re-opened. Roads were cleared and after two weeks most roads were accessible and many rail services were re-established. At this point people started to need help to cope with the stress and shock of the earthquake.

8. long term responses The port was 80% re-opened after a year with as much business as possible being restored. New regulations on buildings were introduced to make the buildings more resistant to future earthquakes. Building was still taking place 3 years after. New highways were constructed, homes re-built and services completed. All rail services has been repaired 6 months after the quake. People needed counselling for the stress caused and to cope with their losses.