Tokyo. Japan was recently hit by a magnitude 7.5 (later downgraded to 7.6) earthquake, which caused damage to roads, power and homes and caused tsunami waves up to 70 centimeters (10 in) high. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a special alert called Off the Coast of Hokkaido and Sanriku Subsequent Earthquake Advisory. This alert is activated after an earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or greater. This means that the probability of an earthquake of magnitude 8 or greater over the next seven days is higher than normal, although the overall probability is still low. This great earthquake will create the threat of tsunami and aftershocks mainly in the northwest Pacific region, affecting Japan, the Russian Far East, and possibly parts of Alaska.
impact on india
According to the information, this great earthquake of Japan is not likely to have any significant impact on India. Research shows that the energy generated from Japan-trench type events is concentrated in the Pacific Ocean. The Indian Ocean and India are mainly affected by megathrust earthquakes that occur along subduction zones such as the Sunda (Java) Trench. The worst tsunami ever recorded in India occurred after a 9.1 magnitude earthquake near Sumatra in 2004. The earthquakes in the Pacific Ocean have not had any significant impact on India. Indian scientists consider the Sunda Trench and the Arabian Sea as the main sources of tsunami for the coasts of India. Japan’s warning reflects shared tectonic vulnerabilities and the importance of early warning systems for India, but does not indicate an increased risk of tsunami or earthquake on Indian coasts in the coming days.
Why do earthquakes occur frequently in Japan?
Japan is located in a region where the Pacific Plate slides beneath the North American and Okhotsk plates. This process is called subduction zone. Along the Japan and Kuril Trench, these plates accumulate a lot of pressure, which sometimes comes out in the form of large megathrust earthquakes.
