Japan's Earthquake Risk Rises: 80% Probability of Megaquake in Next 30 Years

Government panel warns of heightened seismic risk along Nankai Trough, with potential for massive tsunamis and widespread destruction.

Japan's Earthquake Research Committee has raised the probability of a megaquake in the Nankai Trough to 80-82% within the next 30 years.
A megaquake, defined as magnitude 8 or higher, could trigger tsunamis over 30 meters high and cause catastrophic damage to densely populated areas.
The Nankai Trough, located along Japan's Pacific coast, is a subduction zone where tectonic plates are stuck, building pressure over time.
Historical data shows megaquakes in this region occur every 100-200 years, with the last one recorded in 1946, marking a 79-year gap.
Experts urge preparedness, though some seismologists question the predictability of such events, citing the complex nature of earthquake cycles.