Aquamarine Fukushima
Encyclopedia
is an aquarium located in Iwaki, Fukushima
, Japan.
The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
on 11 March 2011 resulted in power being cut off to the aquarium. Many fish died, but some marine mammals and sea birds were subsequently transferred to Kamogawa Sea World, 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) to the south, Ueno Zoo
in Tokyo, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Mito Sea Paradise, and New Enoshima Aquarium. Although the main building sustained only minor damage, outside pools were washed away, and there was major damage to the electrical system (causing the death of about 90% of the animals in the aquarium). The facility was closed after the tsunami, and reopened to the public on 15 July 2011, following restoration.
The aquarium includes a botanical garden on the fourth floor that shows the plant life of Fukushima, and from which visitors can see the top of the main tank.
Iwaki, Fukushima
is a city located in the southern part of the Hamadōri coastal region of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.A designated "core city", Iwaki is also one of the growing number of hiragana cities. Its area is 1,231.35 km², making it the 10th largest city in Japan...
, Japan.
History
The aquarium opened on 15 July 2000. The nickname "Aquamarine Fukushima" was selected in 1998 from a total of 4,722 applications.The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
on 11 March 2011 resulted in power being cut off to the aquarium. Many fish died, but some marine mammals and sea birds were subsequently transferred to Kamogawa Sea World, 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) to the south, Ueno Zoo
Ueno Zoo
The is a zoo, managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and located in Taitō, Tokyo, Japan. It is Japan's oldest zoo, opening on March 20, 1882. It is a five-minute walk from the Park Exit of Ueno Station, with convenient access from Tokyo's public-transportation network...
in Tokyo, Tokyo Sea Life Park, Mito Sea Paradise, and New Enoshima Aquarium. Although the main building sustained only minor damage, outside pools were washed away, and there was major damage to the electrical system (causing the death of about 90% of the animals in the aquarium). The facility was closed after the tsunami, and reopened to the public on 15 July 2011, following restoration.
Exhibits
The aquarium highlights the sea life in the Shiome Sea, where rivers flow into the sea and meet the collision of the Kuroshio and Oyashio ocean currents. The centerpiece tank, "The Shiome Sea", holds 2050 cubic metre and contains a triangular tunnel that separates two tanks with different water temperatures (the two currents).The aquarium includes a botanical garden on the fourth floor that shows the plant life of Fukushima, and from which visitors can see the top of the main tank.