Over 1,000 Earthquakes Hit Japanese Islands in Two Week Span

Reports indicate that more than 1,000 earthquakes have been recorded in the Tokara Islands in Japan. This remote chain of islands experienced this activity all within two weeks. This period of seismic activity has caused an unusual number of tremors to occur in this short amount of time. Earthquakes can occur almost at any time and anywhere, so it’s crucial you know how to act if a seismic event happens.

While most of the quakes in the Tokara Islands were minor and harmless, one reached level 6 on the seismic intensity scale, which is considered a serious level. Level 6 earthquakes are known to cause serious damage to buildings and even collapse them. No major damage has been reported, however islanders are anxious and fearful. Residents on a small island were evacuated as a precaution.

Japan’s frequent number of natural disasters is due to two points in its geological placement. It’s sitting out in the pacific ocean and the central point of four major tectonic plates, which are known as the Pacific, Philippine Sea, North American (or Okhotsk), and Eurasian (or Amurian) plates.

When these plates interact, usually when denser ocean plates shift against lighter ones, they release seismic energy, causing earthquakes. About 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire, which is the zone of earthquakes surrounding the Pacific Ocean. If you live near or on the Ring of Fire you have likely experienced them quite a lot.

Japan can experience both offshore megathrust earthquakes (the plate slides beneath each other, sometimes generating tsunamis) and shallow on-shore crustal fault earthquakes (which occur within the plates themselves).

Japan has a long documented history of earthquakes, with the earliest recorded seismic event dating back to 416 AD. The country has gone through many devastating earthquakes, most notably the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, which triggered a massive tsunami and much destruction. The effects of a earthquake can range from small tremors, cracks in the ground, floods, volcano eruptions, and the collapsing of buildings.

Due to the constant threat of earthquakes, Japan has specific, stringent building codes and advanced seismic engineering techniques to lower the damage caused by natural disasters. These include advanced early warning systems and programs that include education and drills.