Japan Trench drilling project aims to prevent future quakes, tsunamis
Between September and December 2024, a team of 60 scientists drilled into the Japan Trench—the fault zone behind the devastating 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
Working from the Chikyu research ship, they collected rock and sediment samples from a key spot called the decollement to better understand what triggers such massive quakes.
Team discovered clay-rich layers in fault zone
The team discovered clay-rich layers in the fault zone that can make it easier for sections of earth to slip—sometimes causing huge tsunamis.
They also installed sensors in a borehole to keep tabs on temperature and pressure changes over time.
Findings could help improve global readiness for earthquakes, tsunamis
By tracking how these faults behave, scientists hope to better understand shallow slips that can lead to tsunamis—not just in Japan, but in other high-risk places like Chile or Alaska.
The findings could help improve global readiness for earthquakes and tsunamis, making coastal communities safer in the future.