Seismic Hazard in JAPAN
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, located in a highly active seismic zone. The country is situated at the junction of several major tectonic plates, including the Pacific Plate, Philippine Plate, and the North American Plate[1].
Japan is highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location and geology, as well as its densely populated cities and heavily developed infrastructure. In recent history, the country has experienced some of the most destructive earthquakes in the world, including the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake[3], which killed over 6,000 people and caused widespread damage in the Kobe area, and the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami[2], which resulted in more than 20,000 deaths and widespread destruction along the northeastern coast of Japan.
To mitigate the risks posed by earthquakes, the Japanese government has implemented a number of measures, including strict building codes, regular earthquake drills, and investment in early warning systems[4]. Despite these efforts, the potential for earthquakes in Japan remains high, and it is important for individuals and communities to be prepared and aware of the steps they can take to protect themselves.
Japan is located at the junction of several major tectonic plates[1], including the Pacific Plate, Philippine Plate, and the North American Plate. These plates are constantly moving and interact with one another, causing earthquakes and other geological events.
The Pacific Plate[5] is located beneath the Pacific Ocean and is the largest tectonic plate on Earth. It is slowly moving westward and collides with the other plates along the boundary known as the Pacific Plate[5] boundary.
The Philippine Plate[6] is located beneath the Philippine Sea and is also moving westward, colliding with the Pacific Plate along the boundary known as the Philippine Plate[6] boundary.
The North American Plate[7] is located beneath North America and is moving westward, colliding with the Pacific Plate along the boundary known as the North American Plate[7] boundary.
The interaction between these plates[6][7] and the movement of the Pacific Plate[5] is responsible for the high level of seismic activity in Japan, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Understanding the tectonic plates in Japan is crucial for understanding the seismic hazard in the region and for predicting and preparing for future earthquakes.
References
- Nishikawa, T., Ide, S. & Nishimura, T. A review on slow earthquakes in the Japan Trench. Prog Earth Planet Sci 10, 1 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-022-00528-w
- Norio, O., Ye, T., Kajitani, Y. et al. The 2011 eastern Japan great earthquake disaster: Overview and comments. Int J Disaster Risk Sci 2, 34–42 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-011-0004-9
- Okimura, T., Takada, S. & Koid, T.H. Outline of the Great Hanshin earthquake, Japan 1995. Nat Hazards 14, 39–71 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00229911
- Osamu Kamigaichi, Makoto Saito, Keiji Doi, Toshiyuki Matsumori, Shin'ya Tsukada, Kiyoshi Takeda, Toshihiro Shimoyama, Kouji Nakamura, Masashi Kiyomoto, Yukihiro Watanabe; Earthquake Early Warning in Japan: Warning the General Public and Future Prospects. Seismological Research Letters 2009;; 80 (5): 717–726. doi: https://doi.org/10.1785/gssrl.80.5.717
- Beavan, J., Tregoning, P., Bevis, M., Kato, T., & Meertens, C. (2002). Motion and rigidity of the Pacific Plate and implications for plate boundary deformation. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107(B10). ETG-19. https://doi.org/10.1029/2001jb000282
- Robert Hall, Jason R. Ali, Charles D. Anderson, Simon J. Baker, Origin and motion history of the Philippine Sea Plate, Tectonophysics, Volume 251, Issues 1-4, 1995, Pages 229-250, ISSN 0040-1951, https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(95)00038-0.
- Novopashnina, A.V., San’kov, V.A. Migration of seismic activity in strike-slip zones: A case study of the boundary between the North American and pacific plates. Russ. J. of Pac. Geol. 9, 141–153 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1819714015020050