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The 1923 Tokyo earthquake is also known as the Kanto earthquake. Tokyo sits on three tectonic plates:theEurasian plate,the Philippine sea plate and the Pacific plate, and the earthquake was caused by friction between these plates. It hit at 11:58:44 am (local time) on 1 September 1923 and lasted between 4 and 10 minutes. Its magnitude was measured at 7.9 on the Richter scale.

Although the focus of the earthquake was located below Izu Oshima Island in Sagami Bay, the quake devastated Tokyo, Japan's capital city, and caused massive damage throughout the Kanto region. Official confirmed deaths were 105,000, but there were another 40,000 or so who went missing as a result of the earthquake. The biggest single loss of life happened when a firestorm engulfed the Rikugun Honjo Hifukusho, or former Army Clothing Depot, in Tokyo, where some 38,000 people had taken shelter.

One of the most devastating effects of this particular earthquake was the fact that fire spread so quickly. This was because the quake occurred around lunchtime, at a time when many people were cooking with open fires. Winds from a nearby typhoon in northern Japan helped fan the fires, and even caused firestorms in many parts of Tokyo, killing people who apparently were trapped when their feet were stuck in the melting tarmac of the roads. The fires were difficult to put out as the earthquake had caused water pipes to break.

Hundreds of deaths were also caused by landslides in the hills and mountains of western Kanagawa prefecture. Earthquake-generated tsunamis killed around another 100.

Overall, estimated damage included the loss of 570,000 residences and a cost in excess of one billion U.S. dollars in today's figures.

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Which city was destroyed in 1923 by an earthquake?

In 1923, the city of Tokyo, Japan, was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake. The quake struck on September 1, resulting in widespread destruction, fires, and a significant loss of life. It is estimated that over 140,000 people died as a result of the disaster, and the city faced extensive rebuilding in the years that followed. The event had a lasting impact on Japan's urban development and disaster preparedness policies.


Is there a famous earthquake in japan?

Yes, the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923 is one of the most famous earthquakes in Japan's history. It devastated Tokyo and surrounding areas, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and widespread destruction. This event led to significant changes in Japan's approach to disaster preparedness and urban planning.


City destroyed by the earthquake of 1923?

Tokyo was the city destroyed by the earthquake of 1923 in Japan. The earthquake, known as the Great Kanto Earthquake, caused widespread devastation and fires in Tokyo and surrounding areas, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives.


What is the biggest recorded earthquake in Japan?

The largest recorded earthquake in Japan was the Great Kanto earthquake of 1923, which had a magnitude of 7.9. This earthquake caused widespread devastation in the Tokyo-Yokohama area and resulted in the loss of over 100,000 lives.


How many people were injured in the 2011 Japan earthquake?

An estimated 6,000 people were injured in the earthquake not including those that died.The National Police Agency of Japan reported that as of September 11, 2011 a total of 15,839 have died, 5,950 were injured, and 3,642 are still missing.

Related Questions

What natural disaster struck Japan is 1923?

The Great Kantō earthquake.


What disaster starts with G?

The Great Kanto Japan earthquake was a disaster in 1923.


Which city was destroyed in 1923 by an earthquake?

In 1923, the city of Tokyo, Japan, was devastated by the Great Kanto Earthquake. The quake struck on September 1, resulting in widespread destruction, fires, and a significant loss of life. It is estimated that over 140,000 people died as a result of the disaster, and the city faced extensive rebuilding in the years that followed. The event had a lasting impact on Japan's urban development and disaster preparedness policies.


How did volcanoes be a natural disaster?

a volcano became a natural disaster in 1923 because of its huge power and the disasters that i can cause. Natural because no one made it or made it erupt its all part of nature.


City destoyed by earthquake in 1923?

Great Kantō earthquake struck Japan in 1923, devastating Tokyo and Yokohama.


What natural disaster hit Tokyo in 1923?

A major earthquake. It was called the Great Kantō earthquake. Well over 6000 people died and there was devastaton.


What caused the Kanto earthquake of 1923?

The Kanto earthquake of September 1923 in Japan is one of the most destructive earthquakes in the world, and over 100,000 people were sacrificed in the disaster. The source of the 1923 Kanto earthquake are two different plates which are the Philippine Sea plate and Honshu plate.


What city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1923?

Kanto, Japan, was struck with a devastating earthquake on September 1, 1923.


When did Honda Point Disaster happen?

Honda Point Disaster happened on 1923-09-08.


How long was the great Kanto earthquake?

The Great Kanto earthquake, which struck Japan in 1923, lasted for about 4-10 minutes.


What other natural disaster followed the great Tokyo earthquake of 1923?

The car stomp the road and made crack then the dirt in the layer got crack and move right and left to make a 8.5 earthquake.


City destroyed by earthquake in 1923?

The city that was destroyed by an earthquake in 1923 was Tokyo in Japan. The Great Kanto Earthquake struck on September 1, 1923, resulting in widespread destruction and fires that destroyed large parts of the city. It remains one of the deadliest earthquakes in Japanese history.