Preface
Japan, an island nation, has long been plagued by natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Earthquakes have become almost routine for Japan, prompting the development of various countermeasures.
However, the future of the Japanese islands has always seemed bleak, a sentiment shared by most Japanese people.
The discovery of a giant rock by Japanese geologists has further deepened Japan’s concerns about its future.
Is Japan truly unable to escape its fate of sinking? What threat does the giant rock discovered by geologists pose?
The Plutonic Rock
Japan’s location is far from ideal, situated at the intersection of tectonic plates, making it highly susceptible to various seismic disasters.
Due to its position at the plate boundaries, Japan frequently faces earthquakes and tsunamis. The complex underground structure further contributes to the country’s long history of earthquakes.
Japan desperately seeks solutions for its future, but human efforts are ultimately limited. All Japan can do is resign to fate.
Geologists discovered a giant rock near Kumano, Japan. The sheer size of this rock has heightened the fear among many Japanese people.
The rock has been named Plutonic Rock, reflecting Japan’s apprehension.
How threatening is Plutonic Rock?
It has an astounding diameter of 120 kilometers, covering an area of about 10,000 square kilometers. Its location is at the junction of the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate, close to Kumano, Japan. Thus, the rock is also known as “Kumano Pluton.”
This junction frequently experiences earthquakes. For instance, in 1944 and 1946, there were earthquakes with magnitudes of 8.1, causing thousands of casualties and missing persons, destroying countless homes and infrastructure, and bringing significant economic losses to Japan.
The earthquakes were due to the effects of Kumano Pluton Rock, which has a unique structure that can absorb and accumulate seismic energy. When the energy reaches a certain level, it can cause significant earthquakes.
Some geologists believe that Pluton Rock is in a subduction position. This structural position might drag Japan’s Honshu Island downwards due to immense pressure, potentially leading to Japan’s sinking.
Even though the notion that Pluton Rock will cause earthquakes is possible, the threat to Japan does not end there.
Even if Pluton Rock does not cause Japan to sink, the tsunamis triggered by earthquakes could inundate it.
Japan conducts geological research to prevent future disasters. Japanese scholars, after extensive investigations, believe that the Nankai Trough might experience a 9.1 magnitude earthquake between 2030 and 2040.
What does a 9.1 magnitude earthquake entail?
It would be equivalent to ten times the damage caused by the 2011 Japanese earthquake. The power of the atomic bombs the United States dropped on Japan during World War II is said to have reached the power of a magnitude 6 earthquake.
Pessimistic Japan
Japan is very pessimistic about its future, which is evident in its films and artworks. Many Japanese artistic and cinematic works are filled with pessimism.
A movie was even made about Japan’s future, depicting the country’s eventual sinking due to various disasters.
It seems that every Japanese person acknowledges the inevitability of Japan’s sinking.
Japan also has many volcanoes. People living near these volcanic areas lead slower-paced lives, seemingly having lost much hope.
Japan’s most famous scenic spot is Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji is almost symbolic of Japan, frequently featured in Japanese films and artworks, drawing countless tourists with its scenic beauty.
But behind this seemingly serene beauty lies a great threat. Mount Fuji is indeed a superb scenic spot, but it is also a ticking time bomb. No one knows when it might turn into a hell on earth.
Volcanic Threat
Geologists studying Mount Fuji have found that it tends to erupt roughly every 300 years, with the last eruption occurring in 1707.
The eruption caused a significant amount of volcanic ash, which lingered in the air for some time, blocking sunlight. The prolonged lack of sunlight caused crops to wither, leading to famine in the region.
As of this year, more than 300 years have passed since the last eruption of Mount Fuji, indicating that it has entered a new cycle of eruptions. The exact timing and scale of the next eruption remain unknown, but this uncertainty leaves the Japanese people in constant fear and anxiety.
The 1707 eruption was seemingly triggered by an earthquake, the Hoei Earthquake, which is estimated to have been around magnitude 8.6. The severe earthquake affected the Tokai, Kii Peninsula, and Shikoku regions, resulting in 20,000 deaths and the destruction of numerous buildings and infrastructure.
The tsunami caused by the earthquake washed away the debris of destroyed structures.
Following the earthquake, Mount Fuji erupted, showcasing the chain reaction of natural disasters. If another earthquake triggers a series of events, Japan could face catastrophic destruction, and the nation’s economy might collapse under such strain.
Japanese films often reflect their pessimism about Japan’s fate. While some may dismiss these as mere imaginations, geologists have discovered the real giant rock, Pluton Rock.
If Pluton Rock causes geological movements leading to a major earthquake, the massive size of the rock could result in a high-magnitude earthquake.
The Japanese government also predicts a significant earthquake in the next thirty years, particularly in the Nankai Trough and Tokyo Bay areas.
Japan, situated on a seismic belt with a complex underground structure, has long been one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries.
Despite extensive efforts to mitigate earthquake damage, including educating the public on earthquake survival and using special materials in construction, human capabilities remain limited. In the face of natural disasters, humanity is utterly powerless.
If Japan sinks, it could affect surrounding areas, as the sinking of an island nation might raise sea levels, posing risks to coastal regions.
However, the possibility of Japan sinking remains uncertain. All predictions are just potential outcomes, and Japan’s sinking might still be millions of years away.
Conclusion
Japan faces enormous threats, particularly from potential major earthquakes in the Nankai Trough and Tokyo Bay areas, along with the threat of Mount Fuji’s eruption.
Earthquakes can trigger tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, as seen in past disasters. After years of seismic disasters, Japan has become deeply pessimistic about its future.
Whether Japan will sink remains uncertain. If it does, what will happen to the Japanese people? Which country would come to their aid?
