One Year Later, 3/11/2012

Exactly one year ago today, the March 11th earthquake and tsunami followed by the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant meltdown occurred.  Many lives were lost, and many others changed forever.  My life hasn't taken a dramatic turn since March 11th, other than the fact that I have a new perspective of the power of nature, and how helpless we are in case of a natural disaster.  No one I knew personally was living close enough to have lost everything in the tsunami, but I do know that the effects of radiation and additional earthquakes haunts us all.  How are the people living in the effected areas?  Is there anything I can do to help from a distance?  When will the next big earthquake hit?  How big will it be?  Where will I be and what can I do to best prepare for it?

Despite all of these questions, I know that Japan and it's people will pull through.  Last year they showed their absolute and unwavering strength.  I have an everlasting respect for the Japanese people, many able to endure and push through anything in order to accomplish what's necessary.

Fight.  Don't give up.  We'll make it through.

がんばろう日本

I feel sad and selfish to say that I'm happy to be moving back to a non-earthquake zone in August, but even when I move back I'll do all that I can in order to help Japan and other nations effected by major earthquakes.

Three of my blog entries from 2011 regarding the earthquake:
Friday, March 11th 2011
Saturday, March 12th 2011
Sunday, March 13th 2011


Some news stories from March 11th, 2012
One Year Later : MSNBC
Discovery News : Aerial before and after.
National Geographic : This series of photos (during and after the tsunami to now) shows just how amazing the Japanese people are.

How March 11th personally effected one of many families forever.

February 2012 AJET CONNECT

The February issue of CONNECT is out and available for download!  You can access the magazine by going through the AJET website, or by clicking this link directly.





February 2012 issue of AJET Connect (11.5 MB PDF)

I have a two and a half page article entitled "Just Another Face" featured in the culture corner, pages 24 through 26.


Also, vote for my photo (photo #7) in this month's photo contest!  You can visit ajet.net/photos to submit your vote.

Please post any comments about the article here!
Happy reading, and many thanks.

Lana
 

The Next Great Kanto Earthquake

Experiencing earthquakes is simply part of life in Japan.  Some regions experience them more often than others, and some more strongly, but once you've lived here long enough you would expect to get used to them.

On the contrary, I have yet to get used to feeling the earth rumble, buildings swaying like boats or shaking as though a giant were furiously pushing on the walls.  The small ones sometimes go unnoticed, but the larger ones are most certainly worth preparing for.

According to the increase in quakes since the Tohoku earthquake last March, scientists are saying that there is a 70% chance that the large earthquake expecting to hit the Kanto region will happen within the next four years.  This is the area including and surrounding Tokyo, the largest metropolitain area in Japan.

Since the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, architects have built buildings in order to sustain initial tremors and aftershocks from the earthquakes.  Nonetheless, it is important to be educated on what to do, where to go, and how to rebuild once the earthquake has hit.

To read the full article, please visit the link below.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/16681136

To those living in areas prone to seismic activity, read through some of the following sites about what to do in case of an earthquake, small or large.
Some of the basics include:
-know the procedures of what to do during and after an earthquake 
-know where your shelters and centers will be located
-know evacuation routes
-know where to go in case of a tsunami warning
-know who to call in case of a fire
-have a small bag of essentials packed at all times

Websites with more detailed information about earthquake procedures:
http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/acs/tacs-7111.html
http://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.jp/index3files/survivalmanual.pdf
http://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/eew.html
http://www.bousai.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html
http://www.tokyo-icc.jp/guide_eng/kinkyu/05.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_6692608_earthquake-safety-japan.html