Mudslides in Japan
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A mudslide or mudflow occurs when rocks, sand and earth are loosened and fall from hills and mountains due to earthquake, rain or snow. In Japan, over two-thirds of the land is mountainous and therefore prone to mudslides.[1]
Facts
Mount Ontake
On September 14, 1984, the Otaki earthquake (magnitude 6.8) in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, caused a major mudslide on the south face of Mount Ontake, which reached speeds of 80~100 km/h.[2] Heavy rain over several days prior to the quake contributed to causing the mudslide, known as “Ontake Kuzure,” which took the lives of 29 people. After the disaster, barriers against mudslide were erected in nine locations at the foot of Mt. Ontake.[3]
Wakayama, Nara
In September 2011, typhoon No. 12, which formed and was named on August 25, made landfall over Japan, bringing heavy rain to the mountainous Kii Peninsula, and causing a mudslide, called “Shinsohokai,” in Wakayama and Nara. "Shinsohokai" means that not only soil collapses, but also bedrock. In this case, houses were covered with earth and sand from the mudslide and there were many injured and killed.[4]
Hiroshima
In June 2010, Hiroshima experienced heavy rains which caused severe damage, including mudslides and river floods; Shōbara had 64 mm rain in an hour and Hiroshima had 30–50 mm on June 12, 20-40mm on the 13th and 20-50mm on the 14th. Five people were killed and six injured; 1,787 houses were destroyed.[5]
See also
References
- ^ 1. Japan Institute of Country-ology and Engineering.(2007). Quiz about geography of Japan. Retrieved:http://www.jice.or.jp/quiz/kaisetsu_07.html [December 3, 2014]
- ^ Naganoken Seibu Jishin (The earthquake which hit Nagano prefecture). Matsuhiro Seismological Observatory. Retrieved:www.jma-net.go.jp/matsushiro/learning/seibu.html [July/20, 2014]
- ^ Naganoken Seibu Jishin (The earthquake which hit Nagano prefecture). Sabo Gakkaishi Vol. 48 no. 4, pp. 66–68. Retrieved: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/sabo1973/48/4/48_4_66/_article [July/20,2014]
- ^ taihu12go 24ninsibo 54ninhume kihanto doshakuzure hanran(Typhoon 12, 24 people died, 54 people lost Kii Peninsula mudslide flooding). (2011 September 5). Asahi Sinbun DIGITAL. Retrieved:http://www.asahi.com/shimbun/nie/kiji/kiji/20110916.html [July 22, 2014]
- ^ Hiroshima Crisis-Management Department Crisis-Management Division. Site of prevention for disaster. Retrieved: http://www.bousai.pref.hiroshima.jp/www/contents/1318849847246/index.html [July/20,2014]