Japan Faces Increased Risk of Mega-Earthquake with Potentially High Casualties
Revised projections indicate up to 298,000 fatalities from a potential mega-earthquake along the Nankai Trough.
Recent estimates from Japan's disaster management task force suggest that a mega-earthquake occurring along the Nankai Trough, a significant seismic area parallel to Japan's southern coast, could result in approximately 298,000 deaths.
This figure marks a revision from a previous 2014 estimate, which projected fatalities could reach up to 323,000 in a similar disaster.
The Nankai Trough extends approximately 800 kilometers, stretching from Shizuoka, located to the west of Tokyo, to the southern tip of Kyushu Island.
The area is characterized by the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, with these tectonic plates becoming locked and accumulating immense energy over time.
When this energy is released, it can lead to large-scale earthquakes.
The government's estimates indicate that potential deaths could arise from various causes; up to 215,000 people may perish as a result of tsunami impacts, while 73,000 fatalities might stem from building collapses and an additional 9,000 could result from fire incidents post-catastrophe.
This warning comes in the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar recently, leading to over 1,700 deaths, with Thailand also reporting 18 fatalities due to the quake.
Historically, mega-earthquakes have occurred in the Nankai region approximately every 100 to 200 years, with the last major event recorded in 1946.
In January, a government panel reported an increased likelihood of a mega-earthquake occurring within the next 30 years, estimating a probability range of 75% to 82%.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its first 'mega-earthquake alert' since the catastrophic events of 2011, which included the Great East Japan Earthquake that resulted in a deadly tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
This alert was prompted by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in southern Japan that resulted in 14 injuries and subsequently led to shortages of rice and other essential goods in affected areas before the alert was lifted after one week.
This figure marks a revision from a previous 2014 estimate, which projected fatalities could reach up to 323,000 in a similar disaster.
The Nankai Trough extends approximately 800 kilometers, stretching from Shizuoka, located to the west of Tokyo, to the southern tip of Kyushu Island.
The area is characterized by the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, with these tectonic plates becoming locked and accumulating immense energy over time.
When this energy is released, it can lead to large-scale earthquakes.
The government's estimates indicate that potential deaths could arise from various causes; up to 215,000 people may perish as a result of tsunami impacts, while 73,000 fatalities might stem from building collapses and an additional 9,000 could result from fire incidents post-catastrophe.
This warning comes in the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar recently, leading to over 1,700 deaths, with Thailand also reporting 18 fatalities due to the quake.
Historically, mega-earthquakes have occurred in the Nankai region approximately every 100 to 200 years, with the last major event recorded in 1946.
In January, a government panel reported an increased likelihood of a mega-earthquake occurring within the next 30 years, estimating a probability range of 75% to 82%.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued its first 'mega-earthquake alert' since the catastrophic events of 2011, which included the Great East Japan Earthquake that resulted in a deadly tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
This alert was prompted by a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in southern Japan that resulted in 14 injuries and subsequently led to shortages of rice and other essential goods in affected areas before the alert was lifted after one week.
