A Japanese government panel has slightly increased the estimated probability of a 'megaquake' occurring along the Nankai Trough in the next 30 years. This type of earthquake could be devastating, triggering tsunamis and causing widespread damage and loss of life.
A Japan ese government panel announced on Thursday a slight increase in the estimated probability of a 'megaquake' occurring along the Nankai Trough in the next 30 years. The probability has been raised to between 75 and 82 percent, up from the previous range of 74 to 81 percent. This type of earthquake, known as a subduction megathrust quake, could potentially reach a devastating magnitude of 8-9 on the Richter scale, triggering colossal tsunamis and causing widespread damage and loss of life.
The Nankai Trough is an 800-kilometer (500-mile) undersea gully running parallel to Japan's Pacific coast. It is where the Philippine Sea oceanic tectonic plate is subducting, or slowly slipping, underneath the continental plate on which Japan sits. As these plates move, they become stuck, storing vast amounts of energy. When they break free, it releases this energy, resulting in potentially massive earthquakes.Historically, megaquakes in the Nankai Trough have occurred every 100 to 200 years. The last recorded one happened in 1946. This means the possibility of another quake is increasing every year at a rate of about one percent. The Japan Meteorological Association (JMA) issued its first megaquake advisory last August, citing an increased likelihood of a major earthquake along the Nankai Trough following a magnitude 7.1 jolt that injured 15 people. The advisory was lifted after a week, but it caused temporary shortages of essential goods as people stocked up on emergency supplies. The JMA has warned that smaller islands off Japan's coast could be swamped by tsunamis exceeding 30 meters (100 feet) high, while densely populated areas on the main islands of Honshu and Shikoku could face massive waves within minutes
Earthquake Megathrust Nankai Trough Tsunami Japan Seismic Activity
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