Japan asks residents to prepare for major quakes in Nankai basin; expert warns against panic buying

An official of the Japan Meteorological Agency responsible for earthquake and tsunami response speaks at a news conference about a strong earthquake that struck in the Hyogandada Sea on Thursday in Tokyo.

18:06 Japan Time, August 9, 2024

Written by Keiji Ohara and Mikoto Hata / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers

The Japan Meteorological Agency and the government urged residents near areas that could be hit by a strong earthquake in the Nankai Trough to make sure they are prepared for the quake and stay calm, after a warning was issued on Thursday about a possible major quake in the basin.

As the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever warning, it said the possibility of a major destructive earthquake in the Nankai Trough area was now higher than normal after a 7.1-magnitude quake struck southern Miyazaki Prefecture earlier today.

“The probability of an earthquake now is several times higher than usual. That number is several times higher means high probability from a seismological perspective,” said Naoshi Hirata, a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo who heads the Nankai Basin Earthquake Assessment Committee. Hirata spoke at a news conference at the Japan Meteorological Agency building on Thursday evening, urging residents to remain vigilant.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, strong earthquakes measuring 7.0 or greater on the “momentum magnitude scale,” the international standard for measuring earthquake strength, occurred 1,437 times worldwide from 1904 to 2014. Six earthquakes measuring 7.8 or greater on the magnitude scale occurred within seven days of such quakes and within a 50-kilometer radius of the epicenter. In 2011, a 7.3-magnitude quake struck two days before the 9.0-magnitude Great East Japan Earthquake.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said the chance of a quake measuring 8.0 or greater was one in several hundred. However, Hirata said: “This is an area where strong quakes can occur at any time and now the chances are increasing. People should exercise the appropriate amount of caution.”

Evaluation Committee

The warning system was introduced in May 2019 to prepare for a potential major earthquake once a major earthquake hits the area where a major earthquake could occur in the Nankai Trough.

If an earthquake of magnitude 6.8 or greater or a slow slip, the slow shifting of tectonic plates, occurs in this megaquake zone, the Japan Meteorological Agency will announce it.

In the latest case, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Hyogandana Sea, in the critical area. At 5 p.m., the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a warning, saying the quake was “under analysis.” It then gathered experts and held a meeting of the Nankai Trough Earthquake Evaluation Committee at 5:30 p.m. at the Japan Meteorological Agency building in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The committee concluded that the quake was caused by a rupture of a plate boundary. The Japan Meteorological Agency then issued a warning of a major quake at 7:15 p.m.

“The recent earthquake was somewhat smaller than expected.” [to cause a megaquake]”But it cannot be denied that it could lead to an earthquake in the Nankai Basin,” said Shuichi Yoshioka, a professor of seismology at Kobe University.

“Don't buy food”

When a warning is issued, people should vary their responses based on the JMA's analysis.

In the latest strong earthquake warning, residents in the area do not need to evacuate now but need to prepare for possible strong earthquakes over the course of a week, such as always knowing where their family members are and placing emergency bags and helmets at the entrance to their homes.

If an earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater occurs, the highest level of “major earthquake alert” will be issued, and residents near the place where a major earthquake may strike should prepare to evacuate immediately. Residents who need additional assistance and who may be slow to evacuate after an earthquake, such as people with disabilities and foreigners who do not speak Japanese, will be asked to evacuate for a week as a precaution.

“People should not panic or buy food or emergency supplies,” said Nobuo Fukuwa, professor emeritus at Nagoya University and an expert in disaster preparedness and measures to reduce damage from disasters.

Fukuwa noted that unfounded “earthquake forecast information” may be circulating on social media. “You should always refer to official information from the Japan Meteorological Agency or municipal governments,” he said.

Sources 1/ https://Google.com/ 2/ https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20240809-204029/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos