Japan's Megaquake Warning Leads to Worry, Preparation
2024-08-16
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1An agency of Japan's government recently gave its first-ever "megaquake advisory," or warning message.
2The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the warning after a powerful quake struck on August 8 off the southeastern coast of Japan's main island of Kyushu.
3The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage, but the advisory has led to questions and a sense of worry.
4Japan is among the countries most hit by earthquakes.
5Now many citizens are wondering about when the next big quake will hit.
6The Associated Press recently explained what the advisory means, what people are being told to do:
7What is a megaquake advisory?
8JMA issued the advisory after deciding that the August 8 quake increased the likelihood of another major quake.
9The agency said there is a 70 to 80 percent chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake associated with an area called the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years.
10The JMA said the probability of such an event is now "higher than normal."
11Naoshi Hirata is a seismologist at the University of Tokyo and head of the JMA's group of experts.
12He said that the warning was not a prediction that a megaquake will happen at any specific time or place.
13He urged people to remain careful and prepared.
14What is the Nankai Trough?
15The Nankai Trough is an undersea trench, or a deep valley on the ocean floor, that runs from the waters just off the southeastern coast of Kyushu, to Suruga Bay in central Japan.
16It is about 800 kilometers long.
17Two large areas of the Earth's surface, the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet there.
18The Philippine plate slowly pulls down on the Eurasian plate and causes it to release energy from time to time.
19The JMA said that could lead to a megaquake and tsunami.
20The last Nankai Trough quake was off Shikoku in 1946.
21The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude to be 8.3, and more than 1,400 people died.
22What is the government doing to prepare?
23As a result of the "megaquake advisory," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a trip and announced he would lead the government response.
24Local governments are studying their emergency plans.
25Experts and officials have urged people to stay calm and to continue normal life but to prepare for a possible evacuation.
26JMA experts said on August 12 they have so far found no abnormal activity that would suggest a megaquake.
27How are people reacting?
28The "megaquake advisory" is filled with scientific terms.
29It has worried people across the country.
30Some towns closed beaches and canceled yearly events.
31This has led to problems for travelers during Japan's Obon holiday week, a time for festivals and fireworks across the nation.
32Some stores are running out of emergency supplies, even in areas where there is little risk.
33In the vacation town of Matsuyama city on the island of Shikoku, hotels and resorts studied their evacuation plans and emergency equipment.
34In another seaside town, Shirahama, outdoor hot springs were closed for a week and a fireworks festival was cancelled.
35I'm Jill Robbins.
1An agency of Japan's government recently gave its first-ever "megaquake advisory," or warning message. 2The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued the warning after a powerful quake struck on August 8 off the southeastern coast of Japan's main island of Kyushu. 3The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage, but the advisory has led to questions and a sense of worry. Japan is among the countries most hit by earthquakes. Now many citizens are wondering about when the next big quake will hit. 4The Associated Press recently explained what the advisory means, what people are being told to do: 5What is a megaquake advisory? 6JMA issued the advisory after deciding that the August 8 quake increased the likelihood of another major quake. 7The agency said there is a 70 to 80 percent chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake associated with an area called the Nankai Trough within the next 30 years. The JMA said the probability of such an event is now "higher than normal." 8Naoshi Hirata is a seismologist at the University of Tokyo and head of the JMA's group of experts. He said that the warning was not a prediction that a megaquake will happen at any specific time or place. He urged people to remain careful and prepared. 9What is the Nankai Trough? 10The Nankai Trough is an undersea trench, or a deep valley on the ocean floor, that runs from the waters just off the southeastern coast of Kyushu, to Suruga Bay in central Japan. It is about 800 kilometers long. 11Two large areas of the Earth's surface, the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet there. The Philippine plate slowly pulls down on the Eurasian plate and causes it to release energy from time to time. The JMA said that could lead to a megaquake and tsunami. 12The last Nankai Trough quake was off Shikoku in 1946. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude to be 8.3, and more than 1,400 people died. 13What is the government doing to prepare? 14As a result of the "megaquake advisory," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a trip and announced he would lead the government response. Local governments are studying their emergency plans. 15Experts and officials have urged people to stay calm and to continue normal life but to prepare for a possible evacuation. 16JMA experts said on August 12 they have so far found no abnormal activity that would suggest a megaquake. 17How are people reacting? 18The "megaquake advisory" is filled with scientific terms. It has worried people across the country. Some towns closed beaches and canceled yearly events. This has led to problems for travelers during Japan's Obon holiday week, a time for festivals and fireworks across the nation. 19Some stores are running out of emergency supplies, even in areas where there is little risk. In the vacation town of Matsuyama city on the island of Shikoku, hotels and resorts studied their evacuation plans and emergency equipment. In another seaside town, Shirahama, outdoor hot springs were closed for a week and a fireworks festival was cancelled. 20I'm Jill Robbins. 21Mari Yamaguchi reported this story for the Associated Press. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. 22______________________________________________ 23Words in This Story 24magnitude - n. a number that shows the power of an earthquake 25seismologist -n. a person who studies the movements of the Earth such as earthquakes 26trench - n. a long, narrow hole in the ocean floor 27plate - n. one of the very large sections of the Earth's surface that are believed to move and cause earthquakes where they touch each other 28evacuate - v. to remove (someone) from a dangerous place 29resort -n. a place where people can stay on vacation that includes a hotel, restaurants and activities 30What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments Section.