Tōhoku earthquake (2011)

The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake was a powerful magnitude 9.0-9.1 undersea earthquake off Japan's northeastern coast. It resulted from the Pacific Plate slipping beneath the North American Plate along the Japan Trench, causing intense shaking and vertical land displacement. The quake triggered a massive tsunami, with waves over 15 meters high, devastating coastal areas. It also caused the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster due to reactor cooling failures. The event led to around 16,000 deaths, widespread destruction, and significant nuclear safety concerns, highlighting the importance of earthquake preparedness and resilient infrastructure in earthquake-prone regions.