Radiocarbon analysis uncovers possible traces of hidden earthquakes off Japan's coast

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Researchers at the University of Tokyo used radiocarbon analysis of a sediment core from Japan's Kumano Sea to identify possible traces of previously unknown earthquakes along the Nankai Trough. Reconstructing the region's earthquake history may improve estimates of future seismic hazards and disaster preparedness.

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have used a new type of radiocarbon analysis to study a sediment core taken from the Kumano Sea off the coast of Japan. This has revealed multiple "hidden" traces of previously unknown earthquakes in the Nankai Trough, where the country's next megaquake is expected to occur. Reconstructing a more accurate picture of the past will help predict future geophysical events and prepare for potential disasters. The work is published in Radiocarbon.