The Great East Japan Earthquake struck Japan on March 11, 2011.
We verified the 1 minute 25 second video recording the earthquake with experts.
Whether or not there is a risk of a tsunami is based on the length of time that the earthquake shook.
* Includes images of the earthquake. Viewer discretion is advised.
If an earthquake occurs and there is a possibility of tsunami, the Japan Meteorological Agency will issue a tsunami warning or a major tsunami warning to call for evacuation.
It is said that the length of time the earthquake sways is a measure of whether or not there is a danger of a tsunami.
With the cooperation of experts, we verified a video that clearly recorded the shaking of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
"Okay, run away, the tsunami is coming. Stop the electricity and run away. Run away because the tsunami is coming" (Video taken by Kenji Saito, Ofunato City, Iwate, March 11, 2011)
The length of the video documenting the Great East Japan Earthquake is 1 minute 25 seconds. Kenji Saito, who took the picture, said that he started taking pictures about 30 seconds after he felt the earthquake.
"The tsunami is coming," exclaimed Mr. Saito.
"It was the first time for me to experience such a big earthquake. It shook for more than a minute, and I think the sway was long. I felt that a tsunami would definitely come if it shook for such a long time." (Mr. Kenji Saito)
The building was hit by the tsunami about 30 minutes after the earthquake.
Why did he think the tsunami would come?
"In the Tohoku region, big earthquakes and tsunamis came every few decades. Small tsunamis came in between as well. From experience I can guess how high a tsunami will be depending on the intensity of the earthquake" (Mr. Kenji Saito)
Experts point out the relationship between the length of time the earthquake sways and the tsunami.
"It's difficult to tell if it's a 'sea earthquake' or a 'land earthquake' immediately after an earthquake, but a 'sea earthquake' can be a big earthquake. The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on the seabed, the length of the shaking lasted for more than 2 minutes. On the other hand, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (January 17, 1995) that occurred on land, the length of the tremor was about 15 seconds. If you encounter an earthquake that sways for more than a minute, it is important to evacuate from the tsunami. "(Professor Takashi Yokota, Aichi Institute of Technology)
#Tsunami #Earthquake #GreatEastJapanEarthquake