Would You Survive A Megaquake?
As Japan braces for its next megaquake, experts warn: it’s not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when.’ Are you ready for the big one?
Japan has long lived (and thrived) with the knowledge that the ground beneath it is never truly still. Some 1,500 earthquakes strike the country every year on average, and yet, the skyscrapers sway and life goes on like it’s nobody’s business.
But even for a country that’s turned disaster preparedness into an art form, the latest warning is a sobering reminder of their worst fears: the Nankai Trough is primed for a ‘megaquake’ soon, and when it hits, it won’t be polite about it.
The Nankai Trough, a tectonic fault line off Japan’s southern coast, has been quietly building up tension for decades. Scientists are now warning that the time for the inevitable megaquake is fast approaching, and the potential devastation is enough to send ripples through even the most prepared society in the world. The ‘megaquake’ and a resulting tsunami could cause around 300,000 deaths in Japan and damages up to $2 trillion, according to a government estimate on Monday. This is a seismic event so powerful that it could rewrite the entire nation’s geography and shatter its cities.
But the grim reality is that more and more devastating earthquakes on extremely large scales have been striking countries constantly in recent years. Recently, a shallow 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar left more than 3,900 people injured. The 2023 Al Haouz Earthquake in Morocco killed more than 2,900 people.
Living with the reality that the ground can shake under you any minute and endanger your life isn’t a comfortable thought to live with. So the real question is, are you ready? And more importantly, if the unthinkable happens, will you be able to survive?
But First, What’s the Nankai Trough?
The Nankai Trough isn’t just some crack in the earth; it’s an 800-kilometer monster lurking off Japan’s southern coast, where the Philippine Sea Plate is actively shoving itself under the Eurasian Plate. This tectonic grudge match has a nasty habit of going off every 100–200 years, and guess what? We’re overdue.
The last major event was in 1946 (magnitude 8.1), and before that, the 1854 Ansei-Tōkai quake sent entire towns under the sea. When this thing finally snaps again, we’re looking at tsunamis taller than office buildings, a Tokyo skyline that suddenly looks very wobbly, and enough aftershocks to keep nerves fried for weeks.
So, Can You Hack It? Earthquake Survival 101
Forget what you’ve seen in movies—running, screaming, or standing in a doorway isn’t your ticket to survival. Here’s what actually works:
1. Inside? Drop It Like It’s Hot
When the shaking starts, get low, cover your head, and hold on to something sturdy. If you’re in a modern high-rise, don’t even think about making a break for it—some buildings are designed to flex, not collapse. However, the real danger is flying objects, so you need to find someplace where you can cover your head and away from falling bookshelves.
2. Secure Your Furniture—Yes, Really
If you’ve never thought about securing your furniture, now’s the time. It only takes an hour to anchor heavy furniture to the wall, and the payoff could be life-saving. Items like bookshelves, wardrobes, and TV units may seem innocuous until they come crashing down. Tension rods (found easily at places like IKEA) or fall prevention items from Amazon will help ensure your space stays safe. Plus, securing furniture protects your valuables, so there’s that bonus.
3. Near the Coast? Run.
If an earthquake lasts longer than a minute, don’t wait for an official tsunami warning—just run. You have, at best, ten to fifteen minutes before a wall of water comes looking for you. No, you don’t have time to grab your laptop. No, checking Twitter isn’t a priority, and neither is updating your story. Move. Now.
4. On Public Transport? Sit Tight.
Many trains and subways are designed to shut down automatically during quakes. Your instincts might scream, “Get out!” but trust the system. Panicking underground is a bad idea. Getting trampled in a stampede is an even worse idea. Stay put and wait for an organised evacuation—chaos is never your friend in a disaster.
5. Have a Plan, Be in the Know
It’s a simple piece of advice, but crucial: have an evacuation plan. It’s not about paranoia, it’s about being real. Know your nearest evacuation point (likely a school or park) and familiarise yourself with the evacuation routes. Know your nearest high ground, not just the closest coffee shop. Family members should have a prearranged meeting point in case the phones go down—communication lines often fail during earthquakes. And, if you’re in a tsunami-risk area, move to higher ground immediately.
6. The Go-To Emergency Bag: Keep It Ready
Your emergency kit is a critical asset, not a hypothetical exercise. It's the difference between navigating a crisis and being overwhelmed by it. A multi-tool, a comprehensive first-aid kit, a reliable flashlight, a portable radio for information, and a supply of cash. These are the essentials. Keep it accessible, near an exit, not tucked away. The standard rule is keeping 3 days’ worth of food and water tucked away, along with physical maps, light clothes, and wet wipes. In a disaster, preparedness isn't optional; it's fundamental.
The Psychology of Panic
In every crisis, people sort themselves into three categories: those who act fast, the ones who freeze, and some who make things worse—hoarding supplies, live-streaming their impending doom, or running directly into danger.
Panic isn’t just about fear; it’s a biological reaction. When the ground starts shaking, your body is flooded with adrenaline, which can cloud your ability to think clearly. This is your "fight or flight" response kicking in. But in an earthquake scenario, neither of those options is ideal. Running aimlessly or freezing in place can put you in much more danger. The trick is in how you train your brain to respond when chaos strikes. The fight-or-flight instincts are powerful, but so is the ability to prepare yourself ahead of time. By regularly practicing drills, you condition your mind to react quickly and efficiently, even when your body is telling you to panic.
The best way to combat this is through training. When you regularly engage in earthquake drills, your brain creates neural pathways that allow you to act more automatically when a real emergency occurs. In fact, experts suggest that exposure to stressful situations—without causing harm—can help desensitize the brain, making it easier to manage fear in the moment.
Remember: The biggest mistake people make in moments of panic is freezing. When you freeze, you waste valuable time—and time is a luxury you won’t have when the ground starts shaking.
The Only Rule That Matters? Be Ready.
Japan has mastered disaster preparedness, but what about the rest of us? Not so much. Survival isn’t luck—it’s planning. Do you have an emergency kit? Do you know the fastest route to high ground? Have you trained yourself not to freeze when the shaking starts?
Most of us don’t. So start planning now, and for the love of god, stop taking training from Hollywood blockbusters.