Why did so many people die and why was so much destruction caused? What was wrong with the structure of the houses and how they were built and placed? Reasons please. Will choose best answer.
Chosen Answer:
Ironically the Kobe area was believed to be less susceptible to big quakes than other areas in Japan. Its people and structures were less prepared. It is heavily populated. This quake was the largest since 1923 Great Tokyo quake.
The quake was along a strike slip fault with a shallow depth. Estimated anywhere from a 6.8-7.2 intensity. Epicenter was only 40 miles from the city. It lasted about 20 seconds. Side movement was 6-10 ft in areas. This transmitted a huge amount of energy, around 240,000 tons TNT equivalent.
Over 6400 killed, 50,000 buildings destroyed, 300,000 homeless and about 13.2 billion (in US dollars) damage.
by: AndyF
on: 22nd January 13