Earthquakes continue to be one of the major natural phenomena that cause the most concern worldwide. From Japan to the Mediterranean, recent seismic activity and advances in its study have placed this geological risk in the spotlight of science, the public, and public administrations. New scientific findings and recent incidents in historically active areas are renewing interest and concern about the impact of earthquakes.
Japan, a country accustomed to living with earthquakes, is facing a wave of earthquakes and rumors that have affected everything from tourism to public perception of risk. In parallel, international research is shedding light on the functioning of faults, deep geology, and the most effective strategies for anticipating and mitigating earthquake damage.
Wave of earthquakes in southwest Japan: monitoring and evacuations
In recent weeks, the Tokara island chain, located southwest of Japan, has registered more than a thousand earthquakes in just two weeks, with magnitudes of up to 5,5 on the Japanese scale. Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued alerts and, at peak times, has ordered the temporary evacuation of more than 80 people, although no significant damage has been reported. The local population remains caution against possible aftershocks and the uncertainty about new episodes of greater intensity.
This increase in activity has led to a significant decline in domestic and international tourist bookings, fueled in part by speculation and urban legends, such as the prediction of a hypothetical "supertsunami" inspired by popular works. Authorities insist that, despite the increase in seismic activity, categorical predictions are not possible and rely on verified scientific information.
Can earthquakes be predicted? The debate remains open.
La Accurate prediction of an earthquake in terms of location, date and magnitude remains an unattainable goal for science. current. Experts emphasize that, although progress has been made in monitoring faults and seismic movements, the only possible outcome is improve impact anticipation and provide early warnings of imminent seismic waves, which can save valuable seconds. Monitoring systems with hundreds of stations spread across active regions such as the Iberian Peninsula and the Pacific provide crucial information for understanding the behavior of tectonic plates.
The number of earthquakes hasn't necessarily increased, but their magnitude and potential damage in some areas have grown in recent years. In any case, the infrastructure of countries like Japan is specifically designed to withstand these events and mitigate their impact.
The role of archaeoseismology: looking to the past to prepare for the future
Archaeoseismology, a discipline that combines seismology and archaeology, allows us to reconstruct the seismic history of regions such as southern Spain and Portugal. Examples like Claudia Baelo in Tarifa they demonstrate how Ancient earthquakes and tsunamis forever altered historic citiesThanks to scientific projects such as QTECTIBERIA, led by the University of Salamanca and the IGME, seismic movements from the Roman, Phoenician, and Neolithic periods that marked the development and decline of various settlements on the Iberian Peninsula have been identified and investigated. Furthermore, in the study of seismic history, the Review of historical and modern records is complemented by archaeoseismology to better understand the patterns of seismic activity in the region.
Studying these past records allows design earthquake-resistant regulations and optimize preparedness for future disastersIn addition, it helps determine the recurrence periods of major earthquakes and adjust seismic hazard maps for each region.
Slow earthquakes: the enigma that can help reduce tsunami risk
One of the most recent advances in the study of earthquakes is the detection of so-called “slow earthquakes” or slow slip earthquakes, especially in subduction zones such as the Nankai Fault, southern JapanThese events are characterized by a release of energy over several weeks, rather than a few seconds like typical earthquakes, and do not usually cause visible damage or immediate tsunamis.
Recent research has confirmed the existence of these slow slides in regions where the pressure of underground fluids is especially high.This behavior acts as a “natural buffer,” discharging some of the energy stored in the tectonic plate. However, it worries scientists that Other major faults, such as the Cascadia fault in North America, remain locked and accumulating tension, which could increase the risk of major earthquakes and tsunamis in the future.
The ability to record these "silent" movements with high-precision underwater sensors is revolutionizing seismic monitoring and opening up new avenues for estimating the destructive potential of future catastrophes.
History, science, and popular perceptions of earthquakes
The fear generated by earthquakes has given rise to countless legends, myths and popular explanations throughout history. Characters such as the "prophet" Ryo Tatsuki and the belief in omens before major earthquakes circulate in society, especially during times of high seismic activity. However, The scientific community emphasizes that the only reliable way to reduce the impact of earthquakes is to advance in their understanding, improve the resilience of infrastructures and enhance citizen preparedness.To learn more about the myths and realities, we also recommend that you consult Our article on myths and truths about earthquakes.
For example, the latest data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) allow real-time consultation of the location, magnitude and frequency of earthquakes across the planet, and illustrate the global challenge posed by seismic activity.
Earthquake measurement is usually done with the Richter scale, although there are other systems such as the Moment Magnitude or Modified Mercalli, which evaluate different parameters of the earthquake and its consequences.
With the support of science and technology, humanity is increasingly better prepared to record, analyze and mitigate the risks arising from earthquakesHowever, the unpredictability of these phenomena and the weight of collective memory continue to make seismic movements a matter of utmost importance throughout the world.