The Washington Post is running an article from Reuters about the consequences of a big earthquake in Tokyo. It contends that the foot traffic from 12,000,000 people would create incredible crowd densities of more than 6 people per square meter! The article also states that:
The Tokyo metropolitan government said in 2006 that a magnitude 7.3 earthquake under Tokyo would probably kill more than 5,600 people and injure almost 160,000. Official estimates of economic damage have topped more than $1 trillion.
It’s easy to forget in normal day-to-day living just how vulnerable Japan is to huge catastrophes.
Six people per square meter? Luxury! Ever try riding the Denentoshi Line?
Six people per square meter? Watch demand for anti-chikan products soar!
Seriously though, 5,600 deaths is far less of a catastrophe than the 100,000+ from the 1923 Great Kanto earthquake.
That’s sad, in all of places, Tokyo, but japan should be use to this.
I don’t think it’s possible to get used to earthquakes. People get used to tremors, and eventually become very blase about it. But after an earthquake hits, you are reminded what those tremors can do, and they are less fun than before.
The thing about earthquakes is that they just come out of nowhere with no warning, and in a few seconds, can turn your life upside down. Quite a reality check.