The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued its first major earthquake warning since the catastrophic events of 2011.
Recent Quake Injured Eight
According to Ziare this alert highlights the increased risk of a massive earthquake along the Pacific coast but does not guarantee that one will occur. The JMA's warning is part of a new system implemented following the devastating 2011 earthquake.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has canceled his planned visit to Central Asia for regional summits in response to this alert.
The fire and disaster management agency reported that a recent quake in southern Kyushu injured eight people, though no major damage was reported. The JMA's warning emphasizes that if a significant earthquake were to happen, it could trigger powerful shaking and large tsunamis.
Experienced Massive Earthquakes
The alert specifically concerns the Nankai Trough subduction zone, where two tectonic plates meet in the Pacific Ocean.
This area has historically experienced massive earthquakes. Japan, situated above four major tectonic plates, faces around 1,500 earthquakes annually, most of which are minor. Advanced building techniques and emergency procedures typically mitigate the impact of even larger quakes.
The Japanese government has previously estimated a 70% chance of a major earthquake occurring in the next 30 years. Experts warn that such a quake could severely impact much of Japan's Pacific coast, potentially threatening up to 300,000 lives in the worst-case scenario.
The 2011 earthquake, with a magnitude of 9.0, led to a devastating tsunami that claimed approximately 18,500 lives and caused a major nuclear disaster at Fukushima, marking Japan's worst post-war catastrophe and the most severe nuclear accident since Chernobyl.
