Nankai Earthquake

The Nankai Earthquake refers to a series of powerful earthquakes that occur along the Nankai Trough, a deep ocean trench off the coast of Japan. These quakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates where the Philippine Sea Plate dives beneath the Eurasian Plate. Historically, significant quakes have struck approximately every 100 to 150 years, leading to devastating tsunamis and loss of life. The 1946 event was particularly destructive, resulting in thousands of casualties. Understanding this earthquake helps in disaster preparedness, as the region is at high risk for future seismic activity.