I friend send me a report made by the Tokyo Government that analyzes potential earthquake risk in Tokyo. At the end of the report the conclusion is this map where the orange-red areas are the riskiest ones and the green-blue ones the safest. I live in a blue zone 🙂
It looks like Tokyo east area is pretty dangerous.
In order to create these colored map many factors were analyzed. For example, the composition of the soil is one of the most important factors of danger when a earthquake occurs. This is how it is explained in one picture in the Tokyo Government report:
The soil composition is one of the most important factors when calculating earthquake disaster risk. For example, in the Kobe earthquake in 1995, the most affected area was full of old house built on top of soil composed mainly by clay and sand. Another of the most important factors is the risk of fire. Areas with many concentrated wood houses are very risky. When a big earthquake disaster happens most of the people die burned. The fire risk is explained in the report with these nice-funny drawings:
This is the cover of the Tokyo Government report about earthquake risk areas in Tokyo.
4 replies on “Earthquake risk areas in Tokyo”
It’s strange that the safest and riskiest areas often seem to be right next to each other. I certainly wouldn’t like to be in my office when The Big One strikes – don’t think it will last long!
hey I love you blog and link to it fairly often. i was wondering where on the web you found the “cartoon” photos from the Government report? I would like to find out where I can get them.
Thanks and keep up the great content.
Hi….I will be in Tokyo and Kyoto early April. It is my first trip to Japan and I am terrified of experiencing a possible earthquake while there! Any tips or suggestions? I am so scared, I was thinking of cancelling my trip but I’ve wanted to visit Japan for such a long time, I don’t want to waste this opportunity. Any tips on where its safest to stay, what to do if earthquake hits, etc. would be greatly appreciated!
Hi!
I really like your post. I have just got back from a month in japan. i am studying earthquakes in japan and did not see the report you wrote about. i was wondering if you could maybe email it to me? i would be so greatful for your help because it would help me a great deal!
my email address is matt_hesselworth@hotmail.co.uk.
thanks! matt hesselworth