Are the Seismic Sequences in Northern Japan a Warning for an Upcoming Megaquake?

The current seismic disturbances in the North of Japan have attracted the attention of the whole world particularly following a series of strong earthquakes that have hit the region in a span of a small duration of time. It was followed by a Magnitude 7.7 earthquake on April 20, and another magnitude 6.2 earthquake on April 27, which hit other areas such as Hokkaido and nearby coastal regions.

The series of back to back earthquakes have left some people questioning whether the earthquakes were indications of a much bigger one commonly known as a megaquake. Although this kind of fear may be excusable, analysts remain on the side of being wary of such indications.

What Japan Meteorological Agency Is Chirping?

Later on the April 20 quake, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a rare warning, saying that the chances of a magnitude 8.0 or bigger earthquake had soared temporarily.

The risk increased to approximately 1 per cent in the days after the major quake, some ten times higher than the background levels. But the authorities pointed out that it is not that a megaquake is inevitable, it only shows that there is a high level of risk.

The Seismic Zone.–Theory of the Seismic Zone

The earthquakes that had recently taken place are on the Japan Trench and their surroundings subduction zones where the Pacific tectonic plate is forced under the landmass of Japan. This area is also known to generate great earthquakes.

It is also an identical general region connected with the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku in 2011, which contributes to existing worries. Nevertheless, every seismic wave acts in a different manner and this does not mean that events of the past will have the same order to occur again.

Can These Quakes Be a Preshock?

In uncommon instances, a massive earthquake can serve as a preshock to an even more massive major occurrence. This is one of the reasons why the authorities issued a special advisory.

But the scientists emphasize the most probable scenario is that the recent quakes are the chief events themselves. Various areas of seismic activity tend to reduce with time and not lead to a greater catastrophe.

What Does This Implicate the Risk of Tsunami?

Any powerful offshore quake in Japan will bring about fears of tsunamis, particularly in their adjacent nations such as the Philippines. Such agencies like PHIVOLCS pay close attention to such events.

In case of the recent quakes, there has been minimal occurrence of tsunami in Japan, yet there has been no devastating danger on other nations. Nevertheless, the police are keeping a close eye on events to avoid possible unpleasant surprises.

The subject of interest has been on the increase in the Philippines because of the cultural and economic affiliations to the Japanese. Numerous Filipino employees are residing in the impacted areas and so as families back home are now more concerned.

Also, any tsunami effect message is bound to attract attention in a nation that also lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire. The mixture of these factors has maintained the issue in the trending hotlist in social media and in the news outlets.

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Is Now the Time to be Worried?

As much as the situation needs attention, scholars are not panicking. The Japanese government took precautionary measures when it issued the advisory which was meant to promote preparedness but not like an impending disaster.

People living in the tox-impacted regions are recommended to revise emergency plans, monitor and be prepared in case of aftershocks. The core message should be to be prepared, not in fear.

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