export_ofoct.com

[00:00.67] An agency of Japan’s government recently gave its first-ever "megaquake advisory," or warning message.

[00:09.43] The 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.

[00:24.04] The magnitude 7.1 quake caused no deaths or severe damage, but the advisory has led to questions and a sense of worry.

[00:35.73] Japan is among the countries most hit by earthquakes.

[00:40.51] Now many citizens are wondering about when the next big quake will hit.

[00:45.82] The Associated Press recently explained what the advisory means, what people are being told to do:

[00:53.79] JMA issued the advisory after deciding that the August 8 quake increased the likelihood of another major quake.

[01:06.01] The 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.

[01:18.76] The JMA said the probability of such an event is now "higher than normal."

[01:24.60] Naoshi Hirata is a seismologist at the University of Tokyo and head of the JMA's group of experts.

[01:33.63] He said that the warning was not a prediction that a megaquake will happen at any specific time or place.

[01:40.80] He urged people to remain careful and prepared.

[01:45.06] The 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.

[02:01.26] It is about 800 kilometers long.

[02:04.98] Two large areas of the Earth’s surface, the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate meet there.

[02:13.21] The Philippine plate slowly pulls down on the Eurasian plate and causes it to release energy from time to time.

[02:22.24] The JMA said that could lead to a megaquake and tsunami.

[02:27.56] The last Nankai Trough quake was off Shikoku in 1946.

[02:33.13] The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude to be 8.3, and more than 1,400 people died.

[02:43.49] As a result of the "megaquake advisory," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled a trip and announced he would lead the government response.

[02:57.57] Local governments are studying their emergency plans.

[03:01.82] Experts and officials have urged people to stay calm and to continue normal life but to prepare for a possible evacuation.

[03:12.45] JMA experts said on August 12 they have so far found no abnormal activity that would suggest a megaquake.

[03:21.74] The "megaquake advisory” is filled with scientific terms.

[03:29.18] It has worried people across the country. Some towns closed beaches and canceled yearly events.

[03:35.82] This has led to problems for travelers during Japan's Obon holiday week, a time for festivals and fireworks across the nation.

[03:46.98] Some stores are running out of emergency supplies, even in areas where there is little risk.

[03:52.28] In the vacation town of Matsuyama city on the island of Shikoku, hotels and resorts studied their evacuation plans and emergency equipment.

[04:03.18] In another seaside town, Shirahama, outdoor hot springs were closed for a week and a fireworks festival was cancelled.