Japan experiences frequent earthquakes due to its location near tectonic plate boundaries. Several major earthquakes have struck Japan in recent decades, including the 1995 Kobe earthquake which killed over 6,000 people and caused $200 billion in damage. Other significant quakes include the 2005 Fukuoka and Miyagi earthquakes, as well as the 2007 Noto Peninsula and Chuetsu offshore earthquakes, demonstrating that earthquakes can occur across Japan. The government invests heavily in earthquake-resistant infrastructure and early warning systems to reduce risks and impacts.

1. 1995 2005 2007 Erlinda Garces Salas (2008-81387)

2. JAPAN MAPS Japan is an earthquake-prone area because it is located near the subduction of two island arcs. In fact, 20% of the world’s earthquakes are centered around Japan. For this reason, Japanese government has been spending a lot of money on the improvement of the structures of earthquake resistant buildings and early warning system technology.

4. The 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake happened on January 17, 1995 at 5:46 am. It measured Mw 6.8 on the moment magnitude scale (USGS) and Mj 7.3 on the revised JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) scale. The tremors only lasted for 20 seconds but it was able to destroy 200,000 buildings. Approximately 6,434 people died and 3,000 left homeless. This earthquake caused $200 billion damage which was 2.5% of Japan’s GDP at the time. It was actually listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the “costliest natural disaster to befall any one country”.

5. Collapsed elevated Hanshin Expressway Collapsed apartment buildings There were about 716 recorded aftershocks and 74 of them were actually felt. Because of this, people who didn’t lose their homes were afraid to go back.

7. The Fukuoka Earthquake struck at 10:53 am on March 20, 2005. It lasted for approximately 50 seconds and JMA measured the peaking magnitude at 7.0. It occurred along an unknown faultline in the Genkai Sea (North of Fukuoka city). The residents of Genkai island evacuated after some houses collapsed and landslides occurred. One person died and more than a thousand people got injured. Damages were estimated at approximately ¥15.8 billion (approximately $158 million). Many Japanese people could not believe that this earthquake happened. Prior to this earthquake, Fukuoka was one of Japan’s safest locations when it comes to natural disasters. The previous earthquake happened in Fukuoka over a hundred years ago and it was only magnitude 5. Fukuoka was known to be seismically inactive compared to other parts of Japan. This was definitely an unexpected earthquake.

8. Genkai island residents at Fukuoka Earthquake Shelter

10. The 2005 Miyagi earthquake was a powerful one that struck Honshu (Japanese east coast island). It happened at 11:46 am on August 16 and it had a magnitude of 7.2 (USGS). This earthquake triggered a tsunami warning. Buildings shook 200 miles in the capital, Tokyo. At that time, the people in Sendai city were testing the new earthquake warning system and JMA gave them a warning 16 seconds before it hit their city while the people in Tokyo received the warning a minute before it hit. This provided time to take cover. Only one person was seriously injured, 13 slightly hurt but 17,000 people lost power. Japan’s Earthquake Research committee said that it was not the big earthquake they predicted that will strike in the next 30 years and business resumed the following day.

11. Collapsed bridge in Miyagi Prefecture Red Cross rescue team helping a survivor

14. Noto earthquake survivor Homes that were destroyed

16. 2007 Chuetsu Earthquake had a magnitude of 6.6. It happened on July 16 at 10:13 am in the Northwest Niigata region of Japan. It shook Niigata and places in neighboring prefectures like Kashiwazaki city and villages of Iizuna and Kariwa. The people in Tokyo also felt the quake. About 1,ooo people were injured and 11 were killed. Approximately 340 buildings were completely destroyed, mostly old wooden houses. Gas and electricity services were also disrupted.

17. Analysis Earthquakes are unavoidable and still unpredictable despite the technological advances in today’s modern world. Geological studies play a vital role in making the earthquake warning systems better which will help people become more prepared for the earthquakes. This way, the damages of the earthquakes will be lessen and less people will be harmed. Geology also helps us determine which areas are prone to earthquakes. With this, people can make the buildings and other infrastructures more resistant to earthquakes. In Japan, they even build earthquake-proof shelters in those areas where earthquakes often occur. Sources : Wikipedia Japan Meteorological Agency Japanese magazines