‘Major disaster review desperately needed’ SUPER-GIGANTIC QUAKE could batter Japan

The Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion stated that a hugely destructive earthquake with a magnitude of over 8.8 could strike off the coast of Hokkaido island to the north of the country in a panel.

Naoshi Hirata, who lead the event, said: “I hope disaster preparations are reviewed based on the possibility that a super-gigantic quake, like the one that struck the Tohoku region, could also strike Hokkaido.”

Japan’s science and technology minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, added that the report should raise awareness of the “disaster risk” associated with a hugely devastating earthquake.

He explained: “We are hoping this report will help local municipal governments to make the necessary preparations and raise households’ awareness of the disaster risk.”

The report, led by the country’s earthquake research panel, declared the Hokkaido region has between a seven and 40 per cent chance of seeing a deadly quake.

The panel added that the area usually sees an incredible natural disaster every 340 to 380 years – the last quake is said to have happened nearly 400 years ago.

During the last incredible quake, tsunami waves of up to 20 meters are believed to have made it 4 kilometres inland, according to research by Hokkaido University.

A natural disaster of such magnitude predicted by the panel could similarly summon a swathe of waves.

A tsunami crashed down on the Asian superpower when Honshu was struck by an incredible quake in March 2011.

Often referred to as the Great Tohoku earthquake, the 9.0 magnitude strike become the most powerful ever recorded in the country.

The disaster was exacerbated by the 40 meter high waves the ensued afterwards.

Following the shocking event, 20,000 people were killed.

It was also stated that a ground shaking earthquake of between 7.8 and 8.5 in magnitude has a 70 per cent chance of striking the region of Nemuro.

The islands of Shikotan and Etorofu were estimated to have a 60 per cent chance of seeing a deadly natural disaster.

The panel declared that the next huge earthquake in the area could be large enough to affect the Aomori Prefecture region in the north of Japan – this area houses nuclear power plants.

The Asian superpower’s central geotectonic belt was also estimated to be longer – the fault stretches westward from the Kinki region to Oita Prefecture in Kyushu, it crosses the Shikoku region.

The belt is said to be 444 kilometres in length, an added 88 kilometres than was previously thought.

The panel declared the decision to extend it was made after new mechanics in the areas seabed were found.