Monster Quake, Monster Wave T e earthquake near Japan was deep under the Pacifi c Ocean. T ere, two plates slowly grind into each other. When these plates shiſt , the waves


release energy. T e waves rush away from the quake in every direction. T ey create a tsunami. In the open ocean, tsunami waves


form a bump on the water. But they slow down and grow in shallow water. Some can grow taller than a building. T ese powerful waves build up and plow onto shore. T e quake near Japan triggered a


huge tsunami. It washed away cars, buildings, and people. It was bad, yet engineers tried to keep Japan safe.


Warning People T e people of Japan were ready for the quake and tsunami. T at’s because engineers used what they know about quakes to design an alarm system. It warned people that a big earthquake was coming. About 80 seconds before the quake


struck, cell phones, radios, televisions, and computers lit up with a warning. T at may not sound like much time, but it saved lives. People had enough time to get out


of elevators so they weren’t caught between fl oors, for example. T ey moved away from windows that could shatter. School kids ducked under their desks. Trains slowed down.


The tsunami that struck Japan washed ashore boats and swept cars off the roads.


14 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


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