Great East Japan Earthquake

The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on March 11, 2011, a powerful magnitude 9.0 undersea earthquake off Japan’s northeastern coast. It caused massive shaking, a tsunami reaching heights up to 40 meters, and significant destruction along coastal areas. The disaster led to loss of thousands of lives, widespread damage to infrastructure, and a nuclear crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi plant due to core meltdowns. It highlighted the importance of earthquake preparedness and resilience, prompting international and national efforts to improve safety, emergency response, and nuclear regulation. The event remains one of the most devastating natural disasters in Japan’s recent history.