Map Radiation
  • Briefing Alex
  • Featured map IRSN

This week, we decided to focus on one of the most worrying current situation: Japan. We have compiled a list of the best maps and resources that you can find on the Internet to understand what happened and how it let to this terrible catastrophe.

The map featured on top is a projection made by the French Institute of Nuclear Security (IRSN) and shows the evolution of the radioactive cloud over the planet. The map shows the situation at the time of the publication of the article (21/03 at noon). If you click on the link you will see the full animation on the website of the IRSN that goes from March 13th (date of the explosion at the nuclear plant of Fukushima) and until March 26th. The cloud will arrive in Europe around the 22nd (with very low levels of radiation apparently).

NY Times: How Shifting Plates Caused the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan

This article features very interesting graphics and animations explaining the movements of the shifting plates and how it caused the earthquake and subsequently the tsunami.

Click on the map to read the article.

NY Times: Map of the Damage From the Japanese Earthquake

This interactive map displays info and pictures about the damages caused by the disaster. It's really scary and sad to see how many people perished or are still missing.

Capture interactive map Click to see the interactive map.

ESRI: Social Media Map

This interactive map made by Esri provides different layers of information coming from social networks like Twitter, Flickr or Youtube.

Capture ESRI Click to see the interactive map.

ABC News: Japan Earthquake: before and after

To finish, here's a series of interactive satellite views that shows the "before" and "after" the Tsunami. It's really insane to see entire towns wiped out by the water.

Capture photos Click on the picture to see the satellite views.