Japan's Killer Quake -
nova

In its worst crisis since World War II, Japan faces disaster on an epic scale: a rising death toll in the tens of thousands, massive destruction of homes and businesses, shortages of water and power, and the specter of nuclear reactor meltdowns. The facts and figures are astonishing. The March 11th earthquake was the world's fourth largest earthquake since record keeping began in 1900 and the worst ever to shake Japan. The seismic shock wave released over 4,000 times the energy of the largest nuclear test ever conducted; it shifted the earth's axis by 6 inches and shortened the day by a few millionths of a second. The tsunami slammed Japan's coast with 30 feet-high waves that traveled 6 miles inland, obliterating entire towns in a matter of minutes. JAPAN'S KILLER QUAKE combines authoritative on-the-spot reporting, personal stories of tragedy and survival, compelling eyewitness videos, explanatory graphics and exclusive helicopter footage for a unique look at the science behind the catastrophe.

Duration: 56 minutes and 46 seconds

Episode Number: 3810

No future air times were found for this episode.

About Nova:

PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines.

Along the way, NOVA programs demystify science and technology and highlight the people involved in scientific pursuits.

Watch Nova - Clips, Episodes & Previews

Robotic Cars

Detecting Earthquakes

Change Blindness

Human Hibernation

Profile: Jason Leigh

Can We Slow Aging?

Future Broadcast times for "Nova": (show all)

Tue, Apr 1	7:00 P.M.	Hunt for the Oldest DNA NH World (11.3)
Wed, Apr 2	12:00 A.M.	Hunt for the Oldest DNA NH World (11.3)
Wed, Apr 2	8:00 A.M.	Hunt for the Oldest DNA NH World (11.3)
Wed, Apr 2	9:00 P.M.	When Whales Could Walk NHPBS (11.1)
Thu, Apr 3	1:00 A.M.	When Whales Could Walk NHPBS (11.1)
Fri, Apr 4	3:00 P.M.	When Whales Could Walk NHPBS (11.1)
Sat, Apr 5	1:00 P.M.	When Whales Could Walk NH Explore (11.2)
Sun, Apr 6	12:00 A.M.	When Whales Could Walk NHPBS (11.1)
Sun, Apr 6	7:00 A.M.	When Whales Could Walk NHPBS (11.1)
Sun, Apr 6	9:00 P.M.	When Whales Could Walk NH Explore (11.2)
Mon, Apr 7	1:00 A.M.	When Whales Could Walk NH Explore (11.2)
Tue, Apr 8	7:00 P.M.	When Whales Could Walk NH World (11.3)
Wed, Apr 9	12:00 A.M.	When Whales Could Walk NH World (11.3)
Wed, Apr 9	8:00 A.M.	When Whales Could Walk NH World (11.3)
Wed, Apr 9	9:00 P.M.	Revolutionary War Weapons NHPBS (11.1)
Thu, Apr 10	1:00 A.M.	Revolutionary War Weapons NHPBS (11.1)