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Ehime Prefecture (愛媛県) — Earthquake Risk & History

Shikoku region · Based on HERP official data

Risk Level: Very High

Western Shikoku facing the Bungo Channel, close to the Nankai Trough. The Ikata Nuclear Power Plant is located on the Sada Peninsula — monitoring NRA and Ehime Prefecture official announcements is important in any Nankai Trough earthquake.

Fault Lines & Seismic Characteristics

Active Faults & Trenches

  • Nankai Trough
  • Median Tectonic Line
  • Bungo Channel Fault

Seismic Characteristics

Western Ehime faces the Bungo Channel (Bungo Suido) close to the Nankai Trough. The Ikata Nuclear Power Plant is on the Sada Peninsula — geographically isolated with limited evacuation routes — and faces both seismic and tsunami risk. The 2001 Keiyo earthquake (M6.4) originated from a Seto Inland Sea submarine fault.

Earthquake History

  • M8.0

    1946

    Nankai earthquake — tsunami hit Ehime coast

  • M6.4

    2001

    Keiyo earthquake — building damage in Matsuyama; numerous injured

※ Showing M6+ or historically significant events. Source: JMA database.

Future Probability — HERP Official Assessment

30-Year Probability (Official Figure)

70~80% — M8–9 Nankai Trough earthquake (30-year window)

Earthquake Research Committee 2023 assessment. Ikata NPP nuclear evacuation plans apply within a 30 km radius. Bungo Channel coast: tsunami arrival within approximately 10 minutes.

Traveler Safety Information

Finding Evacuation Shelters

  • Search "避難所" (hinanjo) on Google Maps to find the nearest shelter from your current location
  • Install NHK World or Safety tips (Japan Tourism Agency app) — both send English earthquake alerts
  • Ehime Prefecture official disaster prevention page (Japanese) — includes shelter maps

Basic Action Rules

  • At check-in, locate emergency exits and escape routes
  • On strong shaking: protect your head, open a door to secure an exit, do not use elevators
  • Near coasts or rivers: move to high ground immediately — do not wait for a tsunami warning
  • Emergency numbers: Police 110 · Ambulance/Fire 119
  • Contact your embassy in Tokyo for emergency consular assistance

Research & Official Sources AI summary

  • Ikata Nuclear Power Plant and Nankai Trough earthquake risk

    The Ikata NPP lies within the Nankai Trough earthquake and tsunami risk zone. Shikoku Electric Power has reinforced seismic and tsunami barriers, but community concern persists.

    Source: 에히메현 원자력안전과 (2023)
  • Earthquake safety for Matsuyama and Dogo Onsen visitors

    Matsuyama Castle and Dogo Onsen are Ehime's signature attractions. Matsuyama city is near the Seto Inland Sea — tsunami awareness is needed for a Nankai Trough event. Dogo Onsen is inland with lower direct tsunami risk, but stop bathing immediately and follow evacuation guidance if strong shaking occurs. Confirm evacuation routes before visiting the Bungo Channel coast.

    Source: 에히메현 방재과·마쓰야마시 (2023)

Related Guides

⚠️ Notice
Seismic characteristics and research summaries on this page are AI-generated from publicly available data by JMA, Cabinet Office, and HERP. Historical earthquake data (year, magnitude, damage) is based on official records, but key figures should always be cross-checked with the latest official sources. This page does not predict future earthquakes.