Japan's location renders it particularly susceptible to earthquakes. Various faults dot the area and four major tectonic plates have boundaries in the region. One of the most damaging earthquakes to hit Japan occurred on March 11, 2011. A tsunami caused by the earthquake struck the island of Honshu near the town of Sensai, and caused massive destruction. The disaster caused the deaths of thousands of people and the release of nuclear radiation as result of damage at a nuclear power plant.
Chile sits atop the boundary of the Nazca tectonic plate and the South American plate. This precarious location leaves it vulnerable to major earthquakes. As of June 2011, the strongest earthquake scientists have ever recorded occurred in Chile in 1960. Fortunately, this extremely strong quake did not result in a huge loss of life, since many Chileans were outside their homes due to fore-shocks before the major event. Other major earthquakes struck Chile in 1985, 1995 and 2010.
Although Japan and Chile constitute two of the major earthquake-prone regions in the world, many other areas have a strong susceptibility to quake activity. Southern California faces constant danger from the San Andreas fault and had a major quake in 1994. Istanbul, Turkey, lies near the North Anatolian fault, and the city's large population faces constant danger from earthquakes. Other vulnerable areas of the world include China, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
If find yourself caught in an earthquake, certain actions can help you limit your risk of injury. If indoors, take cover under a table or another sturdy piece of furniture. Stay far away from glass objects and windows or anything that may fall on you. Don't try to go outside during the quake. If outdoors, stay as far away from buildings, streetlights and power lines as you can; the greatest damage earthquakes inflict results from falling walls and glass.
