The Disaster in Japan

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March 15, 2011

Japan is a country located in the western part of the Pacific Ocean. Can you find it on a map? It’s an island country with four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu.

On March 11^th, 2011, a very severe earthquake struck the northern coast of Japan, the worst ever known to have hit the country. The great rumble from the earthquake, caused by the natural shifting of plates in the earth, then triggered a tsunami. A tsunami is a series of really big waves that happen when a large amount of water is moved or displaced way out in the ocean, usually because of something like a volcano or earthquake.

The huge shaking of the earthquake combined with the crashing waves of the tsunami caused a lot of damage in Japan, especially in coastal areas. Homes and buildings were destroyed, and it’s believed that thousands of people were killed.

One major thing that was damaged by the disaster, which has continued to cause further problems, is Japan’s nuclear power sources. Nuclear power is one way that energy like electricity is produced. Just like other forms of electricity (such as burning fossil fuels), nuclear power has its good points and drawbacks. For example, a good point is that nuclear power doesn’t release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. A drawback is that nuclear plants create power using radioactive substances, which can be dangerous and harmful if there is a leak or problem.

Unfortunately, the earthquake and tsunami caused damage at some nuclear power plants in Japan, and now there is concern about people in Japan who may become sick because of exposure to radiation.

When a substance is radioactive, it means that it gives off energy because one of the little tiny units (atoms) that make it up is “unstable.” Because it’s “unstable,” it wants to change into something else, and it gives off radioactive energy in that process.

Exposure to radiation is only dangerous in large amounts. In fact, radiation is naturally all around us! Radiation comes from the earth, from space, and from us. It also comes from things we’ve created, like x-rays and nuclear power plants. We’re exposed to small, normal amounts of radiation on a regular basis, and it doesn’t hurt us.

However, there is concern that the problems at the nuclear power plants in Japan may cause some Japanese people to encounter too much radiation. High levels of radiation can damage cells and can cause people to be sick or develop illnesses like cancer.

At this time, the Japanese government and experts, as well as volunteers and governments from around the world, are helping Japan to stabilize the situation. People who want to help can donate money to organizations like the Red Cross, who will help the people affected by the disaster to get food, water, shelter, and medicines. – If you want to get involved, ask your parents and teachers to help you find ways to contribute, donate, and support!