Kobe Earthquake of 1995 Disasters Documentary
Disaster Documentary National Geographic・27 minutes read
On January 17, 1995, Kobe was struck by a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that resulted in over 5,500 fatalities and $150 billion in damages, exposing vulnerabilities in both residential structures and infrastructure despite modern building codes. The earthquake's unexpected destruction prompted significant investigations into the city's building practices and led to a $6.8 billion investment in rebuilding efforts and disaster preparedness.
Insights
- Kobe's 1995 earthquake, measuring 7.2 in magnitude, resulted in unprecedented destruction, claiming over 5,500 lives and leaving more than 235,000 people homeless, primarily due to the failure of older timber-framed houses with heavy tiled roofs that collapsed under the quake's force, illustrating the critical need for modern building practices and disaster preparedness.
- The disaster revealed significant flaws in Kobe's infrastructure, including the Hanshin Expressway, which collapsed despite being designed for higher magnitudes, and highlighted the dangers of an unknown fault line beneath the Akashi Channel, prompting extensive investigations and investments totaling $6.8 billion to rebuild and enhance the city's resilience against future earthquakes.
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Recent questions
What is an earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface. This movement can release energy that has been built up over time, resulting in seismic waves that travel through the Earth, causing the ground to shake. Earthquakes can vary in magnitude, with some being barely perceptible while others can cause significant destruction and loss of life. They are often measured using the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale, which quantify the energy released during the event. Understanding earthquakes is crucial for disaster preparedness and mitigation, especially in regions prone to seismic activity.
How can I prepare for an earthquake?
Preparing for an earthquake involves several proactive steps to ensure safety and minimize damage. First, it's essential to create an emergency plan that includes communication strategies and meeting points for family members. Securing heavy furniture and appliances to walls can prevent them from toppling during a quake. Additionally, assembling an emergency kit with essential supplies such as water, food, first aid items, and flashlights is vital. It's also important to educate yourself and your family about earthquake safety measures, such as "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during shaking. Regularly reviewing and practicing your emergency plan can significantly enhance your preparedness for an earthquake.
What causes earthquakes?
Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of tectonic plates, which are large sections of the Earth's crust that float on the semi-fluid mantle beneath them. These plates can interact in various ways, including colliding, sliding past each other, or pulling apart. When the stress on the edges of these plates overcomes the friction, it results in a sudden release of energy, causing an earthquake. Other causes can include volcanic activity, landslides, and human activities such as mining or reservoir-induced seismicity. Understanding the causes of earthquakes is essential for assessing risks and implementing effective safety measures in vulnerable areas.
What are the effects of an earthquake?
The effects of an earthquake can be devastating and wide-ranging, impacting both the environment and human structures. Ground shaking can lead to the collapse of buildings, bridges, and infrastructure, resulting in significant loss of life and injuries. Secondary effects include landslides, tsunamis, and fires caused by ruptured gas lines. The economic impact can be severe, with damages running into billions of dollars, as seen in major earthquakes. Additionally, the psychological effects on survivors can be profound, leading to long-term mental health issues. Recovery and rebuilding efforts can take years, highlighting the importance of preparedness and resilient infrastructure.
What should I do during an earthquake?
During an earthquake, it is crucial to remain calm and take immediate action to protect yourself. The recommended response is to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On." Drop down to your hands and knees to prevent being knocked over, cover your head and neck under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops. If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow. Avoid standing in doorways or near windows, as these areas can be dangerous due to falling debris. After the shaking stops, be cautious of aftershocks and evacuate if necessary, following your emergency plan.
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Summary
00:00
Kobe Earthquake Devastates City and Lives
- Kobe, Japan, is home to nearly 1.5 million people, situated between the Rocky Mountains and Osaka Bay, with a city center only 5 kilometers wide.
- The city features a significant port area on islands formed by millions of tons of soil, handling $71 billion in cargo annually, supported by a modern freeway system spanning 160 kilometers.
- On January 16, 1995, a bright winter day, Kobe experiences minor tremors, with the last major earthquake occurring 400 years prior, making residents complacent about seismic activity.
- At 6:26 p.m., a 3.6 magnitude tremor is detected, followed by a smaller 2.5 tremor, both originating from the Akashi Channel, 15 kilometers southwest of Kobe.
- On January 17, at 5:46 a.m., a massive earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude strikes Kobe, causing severe destruction and chaos, with the first tremors felt by residents.
- The earthquake causes the Hanshin Expressway to collapse, leaving bus driver Yoshio Fukumoto in a precarious situation with his bus hanging over a 15-meter drop.
- Yukiko Shono, a 59-year-old resident, is trapped under the rubble of her home, suffering severe injuries and initially believing she was in a car accident.
- The quake results in widespread fires due to ruptured gas mains, complicating rescue efforts as emergency services struggle to navigate debris-clogged streets.
- Yukiko's daughter, Kumiko, discovers her mother is alive after hearing tapping sounds, leading to a rescue effort that reveals Yukiko has been trapped for ten hours.
- The disaster claims 5,502 lives, leaves over 235,000 homeless, destroys more than 100,000 buildings, and causes $150 billion in damages, prompting investigations into the earthquake's impact and building failures.
19:50
Kobe Earthquake Unveils Hidden Fault Lines
- Professor Charles Scothorne, an earthquake expert, felt the 7.2 magnitude quake near Kobe on January 17, 1995, marking it as the most significant earthquake of the 20th century.
- The quake's epicenter was 15 kilometers from Kobe City, yet it caused severe destruction, puzzling scientists who expected damage to be localized near the epicenter.
- Investigators discovered an unknown subterranean fault line beneath the Akashi Channel, linking the Awaji fault to one directly under Kobe, which contributed to the extensive damage.
- The earthquake struck at 5:46 a.m., releasing energy equivalent to a 65 kiloton nuclear bomb, resulting in over 5,000 fatalities, primarily in traditional timber-framed houses.
- Most deaths occurred in older houses with heavy tiled roofs, which collapsed due to weak structural supports, leading to a phenomenon known as pancake collapse.
- The heavy roofs, designed to withstand typhoons, became fatal in earthquakes, as they crushed the lightweight timber structures beneath them during the quake.
- Despite modern building codes, many structures in Kobe collapsed, including the Hanshin Expressway, which was designed to withstand an 8.1 magnitude quake but failed during the 7.2 quake.
- Investigators found that inadequate reinforcement in the expressway's concrete pillars contributed to the collapse, as the inner steel bars were too short, leading to structural failure.
- The earthquake's shallow epicenter caused ground acceleration more severe than anticipated, exceeding the limits of the building codes established in 1964, which were later updated.
- Liquefaction occurred in Kobe's port area, where saturated sandy soil caused significant subsidence and damage, undermining buildings and leading to a loss of $40 billion in trade.
39:26
Kobe's $6.8 Billion Rebuilding Initiative
- Authorities invested $6.8 billion in rebuilding Kobe, enhancing port infrastructure with deeper foundations, modernizing homes with solid walls, upgrading expressways with $3 billion in reinforcements, and implementing a national disaster strategy for rapid response.
