Earthquake Number 77 of December Hit Japan Today

A semi-strong 5.0 earthquake shook off the north-eastern coast of Japan today, December 21, 2012. The quake centered 54km SSE of Ofunato, Japan at 08:07:18 UTC.

Today, people worldwide are clinching their fist hoping the Mayan doomsday prediction was merely a miscalculation or error.

Clearly, the rash of quakes that began on November 27, has perhaps provide reason for concern. The entire Ring of Fire area has been hit with numerous unusually high energy quakes that can’t be explained, other than planetary pull, full moon, or climate change.

This week, starting on December 16, 2012, Japan has been hit with 15 separate quakes 4.6 or higher. The fact that Japan was hit with fifteen quakes is not at issue, however, the strength of these seismic events are.

The latest 5.0 quake does not appear to have caused any damage or loss of life.

Below is a list of quake this week courtesy of emsc-csem.org.

38.77 N 141.62 E 60 5.0 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-20 15:31:15.0 37.14 N 141.14 E 60 4.6 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-20 10:54:21.0 41.90 N 144.03 E 30 4.6 HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION
2012-12-20 09:31:39.0 37.96 N 143.87 E 26 4.9 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-20 03:17:02.0 37.49 N 143.82 E 10 4.8 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-19 22:40:14.0 39.74 N 143.31 E 30 4.7 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-19 20:16:26.4 36.12 N 140.44 E 59 4.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-19 16:08:08.5 40.66 N 139.15 E 35 4.7 NEAR WEST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-19 02:35:37.0 36.94 N 141.60 E 10 4.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-18 18:36:21.0 36.71 N 142.03 E 10 5.1 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-18 10:25:49.0 38.35 N 141.85 E 55 4.8 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-17 22:52:22.0 37.76 N 143.57 E 38 5.0 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-17 18:46:11.0 36.80 N 141.17 E 10 4.8 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-17 13:13:03.0 37.70 N 144.08 E 2 4.6 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
2012-12-16 08:04:41.0 29.10 N 140.75 E 100 4.8 IZU ISLANDS, JAPAN REGION

Japan has had 3 earthquakes today 19 earthquakes in the past 7 days 77 earthquakes in the month of December and 727 since January 1, 2012. These number can be verified at the US Geological Survey and emsc-csem.org;

Perhaps the reason Japan concerns many seismologist has something to do with their nuclear plants. A team of Japanese scientists said Thursday that faults underneath a nuclear plant in northern Japan are most likely active, a discovery that could further delay the restart of idled reactors.

We have learned that a four-member panel commissioned by the Nuclear Regulation Authority said that at least two major faults underneath the Higashidori nuclear plant in Aomori prefecture are believed to be active.

The commissioned panel said the faults could cause up to a magnitude 7. earthquakes near the reactor, which was opened in 2005 and is among the newest of Japan’s reactors.

“We conclude that (the operator’s) claim that they are not active faults is unacceptable,” said Kunihiko Shimazaki, according to an NRA commissioner who heads the panel. He said the scientists have presented sufficient evidence, but will hold another hearing sometime next week to give the operator a chance to provide it’s conclusions.

“If they still think they are not active faults, let’s hear what they have to say. Then we’ll explain our position,” Shimazaki said.

Unless the operator can provide evidence that contradicts the current analysis, Tohoku Electric would have to re-evaluate the seismic impact and reinforce the nuclear plant before it could reopen, a process that could take years.

So if you’re wondering how an earthquake in Japan could cause a worldwide catastrophe, the threat of one striking underneath one of Japan’s nuclear plants should give everyone ample reason to fear such an event.