Yomiuri: Major Osaka Pref. quake 'would sink large areas'
The area of land in and around Osaka Prefecture located one meter or more below sea level will increase to 3.2 times the current size if a major earthquake occurs in the Uemachi fault zone running under central Osaka, according to a government council estimate released Friday. According to the Central Disaster Management Council, changes in the earth's crust caused by a major fault-zone motion could cause coastal land along the fault zone to sink. Previous estimates have said some areas in the western half of Osaka and in the southern section of Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, that are currently at sea level would be vulnerable to flooding if river banks or water gates were destroyed. However, the council's estimate predicts that in the event of a major earthquake, an even greater total area would be at risk...The latest estimate is based on a hypothetical earthquake of magnitude 7.6, the strength required to cause significant movement in the fault zone...more...
