Week 9 Topic
If you have recently watched the news lately you have probably noticed that Japan has been struck by a tsunami. Please give an analytical summary of what is going on in Japan for all of those who don’t know, and the repercussions of the damage the tsunami caused.
Recently in Japan, a huge tsunami has devastated the Eastern Coastline. On March 11, 2011 an earthquake with a magnitude of 8.9 on the Richter scale just off the coast of Japan, created massive waves in the form of what is known as a tsunami. The earthquake was the biggest natural event that Japan had ever experienced, and the death toll has been raise to 8,600 people. It has been reported that over 13,000 people have been reported missing which may or may not bring the final death toll to 21,600 people but this is not likely based on previous speculations. The worst part of the incident is that the huge wave wrecked buildings, threw cars, and carried debris all the way inland to many cities where industrial facilities are located. The Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant was hit hard by this tsunami and one of their power plant reactors overheated and caught on fire which then emitted harmful radioactive chemicals into the atmosphere. The loss of electricity has hindered the ability to restore the reactors that have melted down because the power plant need electricity to run the water cooled fans that are suppose to cool the overheated reactors. Some of this disaster could have been prevented due to the inspectors at the Fukushima Daiichi Power Pants ignorance to not inspect around 33 parts ranging from generators, to fans, and water pumps that are designed to cool the reactors. Currently, one reactor, Reactor number three, tends to be the biggest problem and Japanese engineers are having to come up with creative solutions to stop the reactor from overheating, they have done everything from using water cannons on helicopters to filling the reactors water reservoir with cold water. The problem is still ongoing and hopefully soon the crisis in Japan will be resolved, as if know Japan is willing to accept the help from any nation in order to resolve the problem.