earthquakes
Japan’s northern island suffers extensive damage to infrastructure after massive earthquake this morning.
Unless you live in a handful of prefectures, you’ve probably never even heard of I-wrap, but those who know it swear by it.
Japan is a country of violent storms and seismic activities, but also amazing discount retailers that can help you deal with natural disasters.
Rooms jammed full of anime collectibles suddenly turned into X-rated disaster zones after the quake hit.
Rail staff were put to the test as they guided passengers through tunnels and emergency slides during their busiest hours.
The shallow epicentre caused strong tremors that killed three and injured dozens of people in the region.
Out of 852 examined buildings in the city, researchers say the Shibuya fashion mecca is the least prepared for a major trembler.
Travelers have been visiting Beppu for its natural baths for years, but now the onsen is coming to them instead.
Bright idea could keep you safe if an earthquake or typhoon leaves you without electricity.
The new orange flag warning system aims to help those at sea become aware of an earthquake or tsunami before it’s too late.
Plans to use traditional Japanese kintsugi techniques to make them look as good as new, or perhaps even better.
As an island nation that sits on a number of major tectonic lines, Japan is no stranger to earthquakes. But the frequency of quakes by no means makes people any less afraid of them, especially after the disastrous 2011 Tohoku earthquake which left great swathes of Northeastern Japan in ruins.
So it’s quite reasonable that the Magnitude-5.6 earthquake which occurred on Monday, May 25 caused a bit of a panic. Despite being centered in Ibaraki Prefecture and affecting surrounding areas such as Tokyo and Saitama, there were, thankfully, no reports of any damage or injuries. But even so, many were still left with their nerves quite shaken.
That is, except for this super-chill gorilla at Chiba Zoo, who seemed straight-up bored, if anything.
Japan is home to 110 active volcanoes, 47 of which are monitored continually by the Japan Meteorological Association (JMA). Japan also holds seven percent of all the active volcanoes in the world.
Last year, Mount Ontake in Nagano Prefecture exploded without warning, killing over 60 people, many of them hikers. Mount Hakone in the hot springs resort town near Mount Fuji is on level-2 alert. Mount Fuji itself, a dormant volcano and World Heritage site is being looked at with a wary eye by many and authorities are advising hikers to wear helmets, dust masks and goggles when climbing. The volcano that most appears in the news, however, is Sakurajima, located off Kyushu, which is also one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
“Dutchsinse,” a self-proclaimed “News Personality” who has a cult following on Facebook and YouTube gives a near daily video update of volcanic and earthquake activity around the world. He recently highlighted Japan’s volcanoes and earthquakes and warns that pressure building in the region of Sakurajima, along with other multiple large eruptions in the Pacific region, could be a sign of something bigger to come.
We don’t think we have to tell you that when some lunatic wearing a sandwich board starts telling you that the earth will open up and swallow humanity whole if you don’t do seven Hail Marys, constantly chant “Yahweh,” and transfer a small donation exceeding 10 dollars to his PayPal account right now, you can probably take that prediction with a grain of salt.
But, when it comes to earthquakes, there are actually some pretty solid, observable predictors that one may be coming soon. And, holy crap you guys, there are a bunch of those happening right now in Japan and I for one am starting to get worried.
We recently celebrated Instant Ramen Day, marking 56 years since the very first packs of easy-to-cook noodles appeared in Japan. Not every anniversary that comes at this time of year is so lighthearted though. On September 1, 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake struck the Tokyo area, resulting in the death or disappearance of some 140,000 people.
Out of respect to the fallen and concern for the living, in 1960 the Japanese government designated September 1 as Disaster Preparedness Day, and this year we put together a disaster kit assembled from items you can easily procure at the 100-yen store.
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