The 2011 earthquake and its consequent tsunami on the east coast of the Tōhoku region in Japan was one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit the island nation since records began. It was also the fifth most powerful earthquake on Earth since 1900.
Although Japan is one of the most prepared countries in the world for a tsunami, the waters flowed inland two kilometers (1.2 miles) more than predicted. Because of this, scientists now realize there is a dearth of research into how far tsunamis can travel.
