ScienceJapan 2011 earthquake released tons of harmful greenhouse gas

Japan 2011 earthquake released tons of harmful greenhouse gas

The 2011 Japan earthquake and its associated tsunami resulted in the emission of large amounts of potent ozone-depleting halo-carbons and greenhouse gases. The catastrophe that caused the destruction of most coastal towns in the region and the death of thousands, released nearly 7275 tons of stratospheric ozone-degrading substances when it destroyed building equipment like air conditioners, insulation and electrical machinery in residential and office complexes.

The earthquake which measured 9.0 on the Richter scale, increased Japan’s greenhouse gas emission levels through the discharge of certain banned halo-carbons that are still being phased out. The gases include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) found in some types of spray foam insulation and hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) used in older refrigerators. This previously unexpected mechanism of emission is detailed in a recent study by Takuya Saito, a senior researcher at the National Institute for Environmental Studies in Tsukuba, Japan.

Japan 2011 Earthquake Debris

Saito and his colleagues combined data relating to halo-carbon levels recorded at air stations located on Hateruma Island, Cape Ochiishi and Ryori with atmospheric and mathematical models to find out whether the 2011 earthquake caused increased halo-carbon emissions. Using the data they also estimated the amount of atmospheric greenhouse gases that was released in the aftermath of the disaster. They found out that emissions of six halo-carbons were higher from March 2011 to February 2012 as compared to the same period during the previous two years.

Significant percentage-wise increase in emissions was observed for HFC-32 (63%), HCFC-22 (38%), HFC-134a (49%) and CFC-11(72%). As a result of the earthquake, there was a 36% increase in the country’s greenhouse gas emission. Saito’s work has been published in the Geophysical Research Letters of the American Geophysical Union journal. The halocarbons released during the earthquake constitute a very small percent of the total atmospheric greenhouse gases in the world. And the natural disaster-related halocarbon emission must have not had a major impact on a global level.

Nevertheless, this study on Japan’s 2011 earthquake has revealed important information about the possible effect of earthquakes and other calamities on global warming.

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