Ghost Towns Left Behind by Japan’s Deadly Tsunami

A Dozen Towns Have Been Obliterated by Japan’s Megaquake-Spawned Tsunami

Japanese authorities say they have been unable so far to establish contact with local officials in about a dozen towns spanning the NE Honshu area. Some of the towns are believed to have been completely destroyed by the deadly tsunami.

In the small seaside town of Minami Sanriku (Population17,800), located in Miyagi prefecture and now almost completely wiped off the map, the authorities have established the whereabouts of of 7,500 residents who were evacuated; however, the fate of the remaining 10,300 people is unknown.

Related Links:

• JAPAN MEGA QUAKE UPDATE 3 – March 12
• JAPAN MEGA QUAKE UPDATE #2
• JAPAN M8.9 MEGA QUAKE UPDATE
• MEGA QUAKE STRIKES NEAR THE EAST COAST OF HONSHU

• Tectonics Update – March 10
• Japan 7.2 Quake Strikes Off the Coast of Honshu
• Honshu Earthquake Warning

Strong Quake Strikes Near Shizuoka, Japan

Magnitude 6.4 Quake strikes Near Shizuoka, the South Coast of Honshu, Japan

A strong earthquake measuring 6.4Mw occurred about 30km SSW of Shizuoka, Japan, USGS reported, striking at a depth of 30km at 20:07:07 UTC on Monday.

The mainshock was followed by a cluster of a dozen aftershocks, the largest of which has measured about 3.9 so far.

Japan’s broadcaster, NHK, reported that the quake had rattled buildings in Tokyo, and that bullet train services had been halted pending track inspection.

10-degree Map Centered at 35°N,140°E

Earthquake Location Map. Source: USGS

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 6.4
• Date-Time:
  • Monday, August 10, 2009 at 20:07:07 UTC
  • Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 05:07:07 AM at epicenter
• Location: 34.727°N, 138.278°E
• Depth: 26.8 km (16.7 miles)
• Region: NEAR THE SOUTH COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
• Distances
  • 30 km (20 miles) SSW of Shizuoka, Honshu, Japan
  • 55 km (35 miles) E of Hamamatsu, Honshu, Japan
  • 110 km (70 miles) SSW of Kofu, Honshu, Japan
  • 170 km (105 miles) SW of TOKYO, Japan
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 9.7 km (6.0 miles); depth +/- 3.6 km (2.2 miles)
• Parameters: NST= 74, Nph= 75, Dmin=708 km, Rmss=1.24 sec, Gp= 50°,  M-type=body wave magnitude (Mb), Version=6
• Source:  USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event: ID us2009kdb4

Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale

The map shows the regions where the maximum observed Seismic Intensity was 3 or greater [see date and time.] JMA Seismic Intensity scale is divided into 10 categories: Scales  0 to 4, 5 lower, 5 upper, 6 lower, 6 upper and 7. For an explanation of the intensity see: Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale. Image Copyright Japan Meteorological Agency.

Tsunami Advisory

Japan’s Meteorological agency, which registered the quake as 6.6, issued an initial tsunami advisory based on its observation at on august 111, 2009 at 07:13 local time, and reported up to 60cm waves at Yaizu. The initial tsunami advisory was  canceled soon after. No tsunami damage was reported.

Initial Tsunami Observation

Copyright Japan Meteorological Agency

Maximum Tsunami Observation –Tsunami Information NUMBER 6
Issued at 06:22 JST 11 Aug 2009

Copyright Japan Meteorological Agency

A Seismically Intense Day or So!

In a 35-hr period between August 9,  2009,  at 10:55:56  and August 10,  at 20:07:08  5 strong to powerful earthquake struck the Pacific Ring of Fire and Andaman Islands.

Items listed are in order of  L to R:)   Magnitude, Date, Time, Latitude (degrees), Longitude (degrees), Depth, Locatoion

• 7.1   2009/08/09   10:55:56    33.144   138.040   303.1     IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION
• 6.6   2009/08/10   04:06:32    -11.596   166.093   42.8      SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS
• 5.7   2009/08/10   17:46:28    -3.127     143.179    35.0      NEAR NORTH COAST OF NEW GUINEA, P.N.G.
• 7.6   2009/08/10   19:55:39    14.013    92.923       33.1      ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA REGION
• 6.4   2009/08/10   20:07:08   34.727   138.278    26.8       NEAR THE SOUTH COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

Source: USGS/WSJ on line. The map doesn’t include the Mag 7.1 Izu Isles quake

Related Links:

• Powerful Earthquake Strikes Near Izu Islands, Japan

• Earthquakes [Links Page]
• Earthquake Forecast: Tokyo, Japan
• M 6.4 Quake Strikes SW Ryukkyu Isls, Japan
• Magnitude 6.3 quake strikes Taiwan region