thumbnail

Earthquake warning system for Japan Railways’ bullet train; implications for disaster prevention in California

Earthquakes & Volcanoes (USGS)
By:  and 

Links

  • The Publications Warehouse does not have links to digital versions of this publication at this time
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

In Japan, the level of public awareness of the dangers of earthquakes is high. The 1923 Kanto earthquake killed about 120,000 people out of a total Japanese population of about 50 million; an equivalent disaster in the U.S would involve 600,000 deaths.

Today, Japanese society is well aware of the prediction of the Tokai earthquake. It is estimated by the Tokyo earthquake. It is estimated by the Tokyo muncipal government that this predicted earthquake could kill 30,000 people. (this estimate is viewed by many as conservative; other Japanese government agencies have made estimates but they have not been published.) Reduction in the number deaths from 120,000 to 30,000 between the Kanto earthquake and the predicted Tokai earthquake is due in large part to the reduction in the proportion of wooden construction (houses). 

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Earthquake warning system for Japan Railways’ bullet train; implications for disaster prevention in California
Series title Earthquakes & Volcanoes (USGS)
Volume 20
Issue 4
Year Published 1988
Language English
Publisher U.S Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description 16 p.
First page 140
Last page 155
Country Japan
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details