A devastating megaquake along the Nankai Trough could cause enormous tsunamis, demolish infrastructure, and kill over 300,000 people, according to Japan’s warning.
A fresh assessment from the Japanese government has warned of a possible “mega earthquake” in the Nankai Trough, close to Japan’s Pacific coast, as the death toll from the Myanmar-Thailand earthquake keeps rising.
The paper warns that such a catastrophe may result in over 300,000 deaths, cause major infrastructure damage, and set off destructive tsunamis.
This report was released following an earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that killed over 2900 people in Myanmar. In contrast, a 9.0 magnitude Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan in 2011.
Analysing the report on the megaquake
According to Japanese government research, a possible magnitude 9 earthquake along the Nankai Trough might result in extensive destruction, including the collapse of infrastructure and huge tsunamis. Up to 298,000 people are said to have died in the worst-case scenario, particularly if the earthquake occurs at night in the winter.
The research also notes that extended flood zone forecasts and inflation-adjusted damage assessments resulted in economic losses of 270.3 trillion yen, or nearly half of Japan’s GDP. It also cautions that 1.23 million people might have to leave.
Concerns over a higher possibility of a catastrophic earthquake prompted Japan to issue its first-ever megaquake advisory last year after detecting increased seismic activity close to the trough.
What Makes Mega Earthquakes More Common in Japan? Take a look at the Nankai Trough.
An earthquake having a magnitude of eight or higher is called a megaquake. It has the capacity to produce a tsunami in addition to an extraordinary calamity. In contrast, a 9.0 magnitude Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck Japan in 2011, causing tremendous destruction and at least 20,000 fatalities.
Japan is located in the most seismically active region of the planet, the Pacific Ring of Fire. Major tectonic plates like the Pacific, Philippine, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, and Nazca Plates are found in this area.
Strong seismic activity is produced when the majority of these plates clash and subduct beneath one another. Consequently, geological disruptions and strong earthquakes are common in Japan.
The Nankai Trough, where the Philippine Sea Plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian Plate, is a roughly 900-kilometer (600-mile) stretch of Japan’s southwest Pacific coast. A megaquake could occur approximately once every 100 to 150 years as a result of the building tectonic strains.
With an 80% possibility of a magnitude 8 to 9 earthquake hitting the Nankai Trough, this puts Japan at great danger of experiencing significant earthquakes.
A megaquake and tsunami could be caused by the Philippine Sea Plate’s strain on the Eurasian Plate in the Nankai Trough, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Devastating earthquakes could result from the enormous energy that the trapped plates accumulate.
Can oarfish forecast earthquakes and tsunamis? This is a deep-sea mystery.
It’s interesting to note that Japanese people also interpret the appearance of a sea monster as an indication of a significant earthquake or tsunami. Oarfish are referred to in Japanese legend as “Ryugu no tsukai,” or “sea god’s palace messenger.”
Often referred to as the “doomsday fish,” recent sightings of the elusive oarfish have generated curiosity and conjecture. Known for its silver scales and long, ribbon-like body, this deep-sea monster caused a stir on social media when it was sighted off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Fears of upcoming calamities, particularly earthquakes and tsunamis, have long been stoked by the infrequent appearance of oarfish. It has a strong connection to Japanese folklore, and recent sightings have many people wondering if this could be a sign of anything significant.
