Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
Learning From Earthquakes

Displaced residents of Kumamoto & Suspended operation of industrial facilities

January 30, 2018

Virtual Earthquake Reconnaissance Team (VERT) Summary by Erica C. Fischer.

Over 100,000 persons are displaced in emergency shelters after the two earthquakes that shook Kumamoto. Since the main two shocks (M6.2 and M7) there have been thousands of aftershocks in the region. The U.S. military has offered assistance and sent in over 50,000 troops to help with the emergency response. Over 250,000 people were told to leave their homes.

Industrial facilities have halted work including Nissan and Honda. Toyota has suspended production because of shortage of parts.