
2011 earthquake
The 2011 earthquake in Japan, known as the Tōhoku earthquake, was a powerful magnitude 9.0 event off the northeastern coast. It was caused by the sudden release of energy from the Pacific Plate descending beneath the North American Plate, creating intense seismic waves. The quake triggered a massive tsunami, which caused widespread destruction, particularly in Fukushima. It also compromised nuclear reactors, leading to a significant nuclear accident. The event resulted in over 15,000 deaths, widespread devastation, and a major humanitarian and environmental crisis, highlighting the importance of earthquake preparedness and resilient infrastructure.