Tokyo vulnerable for another major earthquake, researchers

After the massive and destructive earthquake in Japan, the researchers have warned 70 % chances of an earthquake of magnitude seven within four years. The researchers on January 23, 2012 added that the earthquake might be much higher than the earlier estimates.

Based on the figures on the data from the growing number of tremours in the capital since last year, the researchers in the University of Tokyo have predicted on the possibility of the massive earthquake. The meteorological agency has said that since March an average of 1.48 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from three to six per day.

The figure is as many as five times as before the disaster, the researchers said. One of the researchers from the Tokyo university said that the seismic activity in and around the capital has increased since then and is expected lead to a higher probability of a major earthwuake.

Last year the 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which resulted in tsunami, left more than 19,000 people dead or missing and even rippled the cooling system of the Fukushima nuclear power station.