15-8-2024 (TOKYO) Japan has officially lifted its week-long warning of an impending ‘megaquake’, allowing its 125 million citizens to breathe a collective sigh of relief. The announcement, made on Thursday, marks the end of a tense period that saw widespread disruption to daily life and travel plans across the country.
Yoshifumi Matsumura, the disaster management minister, addressed the nation, stating, “Since there were no abnormalities detected in seismic activity and crustal deformation, the special call for attention ended at 5:00 pm.” However, he was quick to emphasise that while the immediate threat has passed, vigilance should remain. “It doesn’t mean the risk of a major earthquake has been eliminated,” Matsumura cautioned.
The alert, which was issued last Thursday following a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that injured 15 people, had prompted thousands of Japanese to cancel holidays and stockpile essential supplies. The initial tremor was classified as a subduction megathrust quake, a type known to occur in pairs and potentially trigger massive tsunamis.
The focus of concern was the Nankai Trough, an 800-kilometre undersea gully running parallel to Japan’s Pacific coast. This geological feature has been the source of devastating earthquakes in the past, including the nation’s second-most powerful quake on record in 1707.
During the alert period, Japan witnessed a range of precautionary measures. Bullet trains reduced their speeds, nuclear plants underwent additional safety checks, and supermarkets implemented purchase limits on essential items. Even Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cancelled a four-day diplomatic trip to Central Asia in response to the potential crisis.
Despite the government’s swift action, experts maintained that the risk of an immediate follow-up quake remained low. Geologists Kyle Bradley and Judith A. Hubbard noted in their Earthquake Insights newsletter, “One of the challenges is that even when the risk of a second earthquake is elevated, it is still always low.”
As the alert is lifted, Minister Matsumura has given the green light for citizens to resume their normal routines. “We have been asking for special precautions, such as sleeping while being prepared to evacuate immediately. But we will no longer ask for these steps, and the people of Japan are free to go back to normal lifestyles,” he announced.
This recent episode serves as a stark reminder of Japan’s geological vulnerability. Situated atop four major tectonic plates, the country experiences approximately 1,500 earthquakes annually. The government estimates a 70% probability of a magnitude 8-9 megaquake striking along the Nankai Trough within the next three decades, potentially causing up to 300,000 fatalities and $13 trillion in damages.
