Japan’s powerful earthquakes shifted the land by 13 feet

Even though the reverberations from the earthquake that jolted Japan two days ago have stopped, the cities affected are still dealing with the repercussions of the calamity. Over 60 people are dead, hundreds have been displaced and according to a new report, the land has shifted as much as 130 cm (over 4 feet) to the west after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake on Monday.

More earthquakes ahead? Officials have warned that there could be more earthquakes ahead. How the authorities were able to measure the shifting of the land thanks to a network of GPS stations placed strategically across the country that helps scientists precisely measure ground movement during earthquakes.

After a recent quake, it revealed the land shifted up to 130 cm westward. Satellite images from the ALOS 2 spacecraft observed the Earth's surface rising due to the tremor, particularly on the western side of the Noto peninsula. This uplift might have mitigated the impact of resulting tsunami waves, measuring about 80cm, when they reached the shoreline, as per a report by .

In certain regions, water, electricity, and mobile connectivity remained elusive, casting shadows of uncertainty over residents' futures. While casualty figures inched upward, the swift dissemination of public warnings through broadcasts and phones, coupled with a rapid collective response from both the public and officials, seemed to curtail some of the devastation.

Japan's preparedness Japan, nestled along a cosmic ballet of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin is known to frequently grapple with seismic activity. “There are probably no people on Earth who are as disaster ready as the Japanese,” said Toshitaka Katada, a University of Tokyo professor specializing in disasters.

Their preparedness becomes more evident when compared with the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria of similar magnitude which left over 59,000 people dead and caused widespread devastation. Japan is situated at the convergence of four significant tectonic plates and experiences approximately 20 percent of global earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher.

The country, well aware of its vulnerability, has made substantial investments in resilient infrastructure and citizen preparedness. Strictly enforced building codes, comprehensive training for citizens, and an advanced early warning system showcase Japan's commitment to seismic resilience. Although scientists cannot predict the precise timing and scale of earthquakes, the country's alert system provides crucial seconds for people to take protective actions, demonstrating the value of preparedness measures.

It's not been a great first week of the year for Japan which has not only witnessed a catastrophic but also a at Tokyo's Haneda airport killing five people..