As you’ve probably already heard by now, Japan was hit by an 8.9 earthquake. The level of damage that an earthquake can cause is measured by the Richter scale. A “7” on this scale can cause major damage while a “9” can cause damage across several thousands of miles. Since this earthquake was an 8.9, it’s considered pretty bad. This isn’t the worst earthquake to have hit the earth, but it is the worst earthquake to have hit Japan. The NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) has suggested that there may be as much as 9000 casualties.

To make matters worse, the earthquake is thought to have caused a tsunami (つなみ) and other nations are on alert. Countries such as the Philippines, Hawaii, New Zealand and other areas are expecting the tsunami to hit any time soon. It’s a frustrating time to travel as of now, because many train stations and airport flights have been cancelled. In addition some nuclear power plants have shut down for safety reasons, which may affect water and electricity production.

Although this recent earthquake may have been by far the most severe, other earthquakes have plagued Japan in the past. In 1923 the Kantō daishinsai (関東大震災,) or The Great Kantō Earthquake, was measured to be around 8.3 and took about 100,000 to 142,000 lives. The Great Kantō Earthquake was so strong that it was able to move a 93 ton statue of a Buddha.

Tsunamis are also nothing new to Japan. There have been a record of a tsunami since 684 AD in Japan, and Japan is the country with the most recorded number of tsunamis. If I had to pick which was worse, an earthquake or a tsunami, I’d have to say both. However if I were forced to pick one over the other I’d have to say that the aftermath of a tsunami can be particularly brutal. In the meiwanoootsunami (明和の大津波) or The Great Meiwa Tsunami of 1771, it was the tsunami following an earthquake (not the earthquake itself) that killed 12,000 people. After the tsunami subsided, there was a malaria epidemic and the resulting crop loss from the tsunami triggered a food shortage.

If you’re wondering why Japan is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis, it’s because Japan is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Pacific Ring of Fire is where a lot of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis occur. It’s true that Japan has experienced much loss and suffering from the seismic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire. On the other hand, frequent volcanic activity had led Japan to be home to natural hot springs. Some of these hot springs have formed into lucrative businesses in Japan. This is not to downplay the devastation of the lives lost in earthquakes and tsunamis, but the Ring of Fire has given Japan its advantages as well as its disadvantages.

Although this recent earthquake has been the worst yet so far, the Japanese authorities are better equipped to handle a disaster like this than it was in the past. After the Hanshin Daishinsai (阪神大震災) or The Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, the Japanese government implemented a series of disaster prevention procedures. For instance rubber blocks were installed under bridges for better shock absorption and emergency food and water stations were set in case of an earthquake.

As prepared as Japan is, it will take the compassion of the international community to help survivors carry on. Whatever political or social views you have about Japan, now is the time to set that aside and reach out to those who are in need.