Ep 6. Countdown to Catastrophe: Mega Quake

Countdown to Catastrophe: Mega Quake is the sixth episode of the National Geographic Documentaries season 2011. The episode delves into the gripping story of the earthquake that rocked Japan in March 2011, measuring a catastrophic 9.0 on the Richter scale.

The viewers are taken through the events leading up to the disaster as well as the aftermath of the quake that devastated Japan's northeastern region. The episode follows the personal accounts of survivors and the heroic efforts of rescue workers who battled their way through the rubble against all odds.

The episode explores the science behind earthquakes and how seismic activity can trigger tsunamis. It explains how Japan's position on the "ring of fire" makes it vulnerable to frequent quakes. The episode also shows how modern technology has been developed to predict and monitor earthquake activity, with varying degrees of success.

Viewers get a glimpse of the impact that the quake had on Japan's infrastructure, economy, and people. It covers the devastation caused by the tsunami that followed the quake, which swept away entire towns, and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster that was triggered by the quake and tsunami.

Countdown to Catastrophe: Mega Quake also highlights the international efforts to provide relief to victims and the financial aid that the world came forward to offer Japan. The episode offers insight into how disasters can affect countries, not just in terms of human lives and infrastructure damage, but also in terms of the national psyche. The episode showcases how the disaster brought the people of Japan together, making them resilient and steadfast in the face of adversity.

The episode concludes by looking at the lessons that can be gleaned from this disaster and how countries can prepare better for such eventualities in the future. It highlights how technology can be used to predict earthquakes, how building codes can be designed to withstand tremors, and how emergency planning can be improved.

Overall, Countdown to Catastrophe: Mega Quake is an informative and stirring episode of National Geographic Documentaries. It presents a cautionary tale, highlighting how disasters can have untold consequences and how we can learn from such experiences to make the world a safer place.