Why does tokyo have earthquakes everyday

As earthquakes can also occur within a tectonic plate, thus occurring on land rather than in the sea and radiating outwards, it is it is foreseeable that a major quake may strike directly under Tokyo or another large urban city that is not accustomed to earthquakes or seismically retrofitted.

Fortunately, though, many buildings are outfitted to better withstand earthquakes. Some are actually designed with the top part able to move with a given earthquake as it happens, while others are meant to actually absorb it and stay steadfastly grounded. Such innovative technology shows that the relationship between Japan and earthquakes--although certainly frightening at times--has produced some useful technology that can help save lives. The intensity of an earthquake is measured using the term "magnitude", while the impact of the earthquake that can be felt is measured on the "seismic intensity scale.

Of course, as you will see below, seismic activity in Japan has been known to go above even the highest level on the scale. Actual effects vary depending on various factors including distance from the epicenter and the geological condition of the area. With a magnitude of 9, the Great Tohoku Earthquake that originated off the coast of Japan was the most powerful earthquake ever to have struck the country and the fourth strongest earthquake in the world since record-keeping began in As Japan earthquake information available through smartphone apps, the internet and other media will tell you, however, many much smaller tremors and quakes occur daily and even hourly without any destructive effects.

In fact, constant seismic activity in Japan is simply part of life for many locals and expatriates alike.

The connection between Japan and earthquakes is an old one, no more so to the people who live there. Learning from past disasters, Japan is now one of the most earthquake-ready societies in the world, and training starts from young as school children are regularly put through earthquake drills, where the alarm is sound and the students hide under their desks.

In fact, you may have seen a Youtube video where the March 11 Great Tohoku Earthquake occurred during such a school rehearsal. Children are also made familiar with the sensation of an earthquake so that they will not be too alarmed when a real one strikes. Local fire departments take the children on earthquake expeditions to experience simulations at disaster centers that have machines or facilities where people can experience quakes of various magnitudes and learn about the correct responses to take.

Such preparation continues in the workplace, where regular emergency drills are held; this is especially true in department stores where staff may have to handle crowds of customers during an emergency.

Many homes are also disaster-ready, with large furniture and shelves secured in the event of strong quakes. In Tokyo, Japan and earthquakes are even connected by a special day. November 19th is known as "Disaster Prevention Day" where the public is reminded of disaster prevention steps and to stock up on their stash of disaster prevention goods, from can food to emergency kits. In fact, emergency food has even taken on a gourmet twist in Japan, going beyond the basics to provide food as close to regular life as possible, such as red bean desserts, fluffy canned bread and muffins, tasty cookies, curries and udon noodles, for example.

Earthquakes are an undeniable part of life in Japan, and as such it is never too early to get familiar with how to react when one strikes. Earthquakes are most frequent where two or more plates meet. The reason Japan has so many earthquakes is that a number of these plates converge below the country's surface. To lighten the damage earthquakes inflict in the future, scientists are studying ways to predict the occurrence of quakes more accurately and to construct buildings that are more resistant to quakes.

Many local governments have adopted disaster-prevention measures that outlines the steps that should be taken in case a major earthquake strikes, which include the regulation of traffic, closing of banks and department stores, and evacuation of residents. Thrust faulting, which causes one tectonic plate diving under another and dragging other plates on the top due to that shifting, is the culprit that triggers a tsunami.

This was the reason behind the tsunami following the Tohoku earthquake that causes the Pacific plate to move under the North American plate. Ocean trenches are the formations that form mountains from the seafloor but they are also responsible for earthquakes and volcanoes. These trenches are deep depressions in the ocean and cause natural disasters by moving under land plates.

On the other hand, inland earthquakes happen in lands and take place along the fault lines between land plates. Many quakes in Japan have their epicenters far deep into the ocean floor. Every school in the country holds emergency earthquake drills at least once a month.

Children get lessons from a young age what to do when an earthquake hits and how to stay safe. We practice being safe at school. This morning we held an earthquake drill. Even though there was no shaking, we listened to our teachers and followed their instructions. First we went under the tables. Next, we quietly walked outside. We sat with our classmates to check to see that everyone was there and safe.

We talk about how important it is to be still, to listen and to stay close to the grown ups who will help us. We are all here and safe! No tears today, but there were many questions which generated good conversations.

In , Japan installed an earthquake warning system spanning a network of over 1, seismometers. Whenever the system detects an imminent quake, it sends alerts through TVs, radio stations, and phones.

It can also send safety and evacuation instructions through these mediums. After the disastrous Kobe earthquake in , the government took certain measures to make transport infrastructures and residential and commercial buildings resistant to violent tremors.