The map below illustrates the relationship between the epicenter of the earthquake and most of the semiconductor wafer fabrication plants in Japan.

FORBES: Japan - Big Earthquake In Semiconductor Country

It costs a few billion dollars to build a modern semiconductor wafer processing plant, and chip development costs can run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

FORBES: Why do Semiconductors Constantly Shrink?

Semiconductor suppliers and silicon wafer makers had been among the worst hit.

FORBES: Japan Industrial Production Skyrockets As Global Supply Chain Comes Back On-Line