Overview of seismic activity and historical earthquake disasters in Okinawa region

摘要

Okinawa, which is located in the southwest part of Japan, is technically very active. Ryukyu subduction zone is characterized by the subducting Philippine Sea plate beneath the Eurasian plate and by crustal extension at the back of the arc in the Okinawa Trough. Historically, Okinawa region have been experienced the severe damage of earthquake and tsunami several times. At the present day, a great numbers of seismographs are deployed on Ryukyu arc islands by Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and other authorities to monitor the seismic activities for the purpose of disaster mitigation and various researches.