Earthquake 9.0: What this magnitude might mean for Japan's future

By Jeffrey Park | 16 March 2011

Article Highlights

• Though much has been learned from laboratory studies of rock fracture and field studies of earthquake zones, neither practical nor theoretical models have captured properly the dynamics of an imminent large earthquake.
• Lessons will be learned from Japan's disaster that can mitigate damage to nuclear facilities from future earthquakes, but not eliminate the risk entirely.
• It might not be too soon to rethink natural-hazard policy so that it includes energy policy.