‘Japan earthquake could be a precursor for something bigger’

Japan’s ‘sophisticated’ early warning systems means the country has responded ‘well’ to a 7.5 magnitude earthquake but ‘dangerous aftershocks’ will be ‘anxiously monitored’. 

That is the opinion of University of Reading experts Professor Hannah Cloke and Professor Liz Stephens, who are available for interview. Contact the Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk to arrange. 

Professor Hannah Cloke said: “Japan's experience of lethal earthquake and tsunami events in the past has led it to create perhaps the most sophisticated and well-prepared system of alerts and warnings, along with planning to avoid disasters. Yet, as previous tsunami disasters have shown, nature has a tendency to make a mess of even the best plans.

“The alerts and warnings seem to have worked well with transport suspended and people taking precautions to keep themselves safe."

Professor Liz Stephens said: “Japan has sophisticated early warning systems which were further strengthened after the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Many systems, like the famous bullet trains, shut down automatically as soon as an earthquake is detected, and the population are well-rehearsed with what to do. Nevertheless, the country will anxiously monitor for dangerous aftershocks and will be well aware that this 7.5 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami could be a precursor for something bigger."

Dr Clare Lewis, University of Reading, said: "Following the Tohoku earthquake in 2011, Japan has further developed an extensive early warning system for such events. Following the initial earthquake at 16.52 local time a prompt warning was issued and the evacuation of the public and shut down of services quickly followed. The public who are trained to respond quickly to these types of events have been reported to have headed to safety without issue. There will now be stringent monitoring of further events as they occur, and subsequent warnings and actions will be issued as required.

"However, given this exceptional preparedness, nature can sometimes still be very unpredictable. With an intense 7.5 magnitude earthquake and epicentre at such a shallow depth and being so close to land this could be a precursor for frequent and intense aftershocks and further tsunami in the coming hours or even days."