A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.4 did shake the island of Shikoku, in the west of Japan, this Wednesday night (local time). Fortunately, the authorities ruled out any risk of tsunami.
The epicenter of this earthquake It was located in the Bongo Channel, about 50 kilometers underground. Although it felt strong, until now no material damage has been reported nor victims related to this earthquake. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the event at 11:14 p.m. local time.
This earthquake has been significant, so it is very important to stay informed of any updates from local authorities and be prepared in case of aftershocks.
Why does it shake so much in Japan?
To understand why Japan experience so many earthquakesit is necessary to talk about the tectonic plates that form the earth's crust under our feet. Imagine that the Earth's surface is divided into large pieces that fit together like a giant puzzle. These pieces are the tectonic plates.
In the case of Japanis located right in the edge where are they located several of these tectonic plates.
The pacific plate, the North American plate, the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate are the main influences in this region. When these plates collide, slide, or dive under each other, they create a large amount of energy that is released as earthquakes.
For example, the pacific plate dives under the North American plate at a rate of approximately 83-90 millimeters per year. This subduction is responsible for most earthquakes in Japan. Large historical earthquakes, such as the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, are examples of this activity.
Furthermore, in the extreme south of Japan, there is an area called Boso Triple Union, where three major tectonic plates meet: the Pacific Plate, the North American Plate, and the Philippine Sea Plate. This complex intersection also contributes to seismic activity in the region.
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