Review of Interactive Maps, Images and Videos of Earthquake & Tsunami in Japan

 

All of the news is about the massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the northeast coast of Japan. I haven't had a lot of time to gather resources, but here are some of the better ones I've found that are accessible to students.

Review this video clip CNN Student News, which is all about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The ten minute episode provides a jargon-free explanation of the cause of the tsunami, the effects of the earthquake and tsunami, and the concerns regarding Japan's nuclear energy facilities. If you're in need of some viewing and discussion questions to use with the video, CNN Student News offers those here.

Next up, the BBC has a short video featuring seismologist Dr. Roger Musson explaining how the tsunami was triggered.

CNN has a good graphic that shows how long it would take tsunami waves to reach various points in the Pacific ocean click
here.

Both Reuters and CNN have slideshows that are still being updated with new images from the earthquake and tsunami.

CNN among many other places has dramatic video footage of the tsunami here.

Thanks to Ian Chia for sharing the link to this live stream from Yokoso News. The stream is in English.

Boston.com has a set of 43 powerful images of the earthquake, tsunami, and their effects.

The video below from Reuters shows how powerful tsunami waves are.
Larry Ferlazzo has a good list of resources going that you should also check out.

If you are interested in financially supporting relief efforts the Red Cross has set-up a text donation plan, click here to read about other ways to donate.

The New York Times has many features about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Here are three that stand out.

The Crippled Japanese Nuclear Reactors is a set of drawings and animations that depicts how nuclear power plants are constructed and what could cause a meltdown at those facilities.

Map of the Damage From the Japanese Earthquake is an interactive map of sixteen locations in Japan affected by the earthquake. Zoom and click on the icons to see images and read information about each location.

How Shifting Plates Caused the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan is a series of drawings and animations that explain what causes earthquakes and tsunamis.

Fukushima Nuclear Reactor Problem Explained

One of the major concerns in Japan now is nuclear power plant meltdowns. To help us understand what happened at the Fukushima power plant, CNN has posted an animated and narrated explanation of what happened and why. The English is spoken at a slow pace, clear and concise for English Language learners.

 

Educational Applications

This was provided by many resources and links have been provided. Thank you goes to all the blogs and news service provide this educational material. My continue prayers go out the the Japanese families that are effect by this horrific disaster and the loss of lives. The first domino was the earthquake, follow by Tsunami and the next piece is the nuclear disaster...the last piece of this domino effect will be the financial disaster of Japan that will effect the world. If any people or culture has the strength to come back from all that adversity, it will be the great people of Japan. More updates can be followed on twitter with hash tag #japanearthquake.