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J-SHIS EARTHQUAKE SOURCE MODEL

Median Tectonic Line (MTL) fault zone (Kitan-kaikyo - Naruto-Kaikyo segment)

中央構造線断層帯(紀淡海峡-鳴門海峡区間)

What this earthquake source model represents and how to read its data.

Reference model · not a forecast
Modelled magnitudeMw 7

The range of earthquake sizes represented by the whole model.

Chance within 30 years0.91%

The long-term chance that an earthquake represented by this model occurs within that period.

Chance within 50 years1.44%

The long-term chance that an earthquake represented by this model occurs within that period.

This model in plain language

J-SHIS classifies this as a major active-fault model. It represents the underground area that may rupture along the fault, not one predicted earthquake. The model covers an overall magnitude of Mw 7. Its source elements span depths of 4–16 km below the surface. It considers 2 rupture patterns; this is not the number of expected earthquakes. Its 30-year long-term probability is 0.91%, not a prediction of a date.

Japan terrain and the source model in 3D

Use the terrain map and city labels to locate the approximate source area, then switch below ground to inspect its generalised extent and depth. It does not reproduce the original source elements or show future epicentres or rupture progression.

Ctrl-drag to tilt · city names remain visible on the map

Colour shows generalised depthShallow4 kmMid-range10 kmDeep16 km

The 3D terrain gives geographic and city context. The coloured surfaces are coarse regular display cells projected from the underground source area—not the original J-SHIS geometry. They do not show future epicentres or shaking intensity.

How to read the model data

Modelled magnitudeMw 7

Magnitude describes the overall size of the modelled earthquake, not the Shindo felt in a particular place. The same magnitude can produce different shaking depending on distance, depth and ground conditions. A range shows both model limits.

Occurrence probability
Within 30 years0.91%Within 50 years1.44%

Probabilities are long-term values in the Y2020 model. They do not predict an earthquake on a particular day, in a particular year or at one exact location. Some models do not provide a value.

Average recurrence interval
4,000 years
A long-term average derived from the activity assessment. It is not a timetable or a countdown to the next event.
Time since latest modelled activity
3,100 years
How much time the model treats as having passed since the latest activity. It is uncertain and is not the time remaining until another earthquake.

Do not subtract the elapsed time from the average interval to calculate a countdown to the next earthquake.

Places where J-SHIS considers this model

In J-SHIS calculations, this model is among the leading earthquake sources for these places. It does not mean the earthquake will start inside their boundaries or that every place would shake in the same way.

  1. Misaki Town
  2. Minamiawaji City
  3. Wakayama City
  4. Kainan City
  5. Arida City
  6. Komatsushima City
  7. Matsushige Town
  8. Sumoto City
  9. Wakayama
  10. Tokushima City
  11. Naruto City
  12. Kitajima Town
Show 40 more places
  1. Aizumi Town
  2. Itano Town
  3. Hannan City
  4. Tokushima
  5. Ishii Town
  6. Awaji City
  7. Higashikagawa City
  8. Kamiita Town
  9. Kobe City Nagata Ward
  10. Izumiotsu City
  11. Tajiri Town
  12. Anan City
  13. Hirogawa Town
  14. Yuasa Town
  15. Hidaka Town
  16. Kibikanaya, Aridagawa Town
  17. Yura Town
  18. Kobe City Nishi Ward
  19. Kobe City Tarumi Ward
  20. Akashi City
  21. Kinokawa City
  22. Iwade City
  23. Katsuura Town
  24. Sennan City
  25. Yoshinogawa City
  26. Sanuki City
  27. Kaizuka City
  28. Izumisano City
  29. Kumatori Town
  30. Kobe City Hyogo Ward
  31. Kobe City Suma Ward
  32. Kagawa
  33. Awa City
  34. Kishiwada City
  35. Kobe City Chuo Ward
  36. Izumi City
  37. Tadaoka Town
  38. Takaishi City
  39. Hyogo
  40. Osaka

Technical model data

J-SHIS identifiers and calculation parameters. You do not need them for an everyday reading of this page.

Model version
Y2020
The edition of J-SHIS data used on this page.
Probability case
MAX
MAX is the J-SHIS calculation case used on this page. It does not mean a certain ‘worst case’ event.
J-SHIS code
F020104
The identifier used for this model inside J-SHIS.
Estimation method code
BSI
An abbreviation for the statistical process used to calculate probability. It is not a danger grade.
Source elements
2
Source elements are the pieces J-SHIS uses to build the source shape. A larger count means a more detailed or complex model; it is not a hazard score, a fault count or the number of expected earthquakes.
Depth
4–16 km
The modelled depth range below the ground surface.
Element length
44–46 km
The length of individual source elements, not necessarily the total length of a fault zone.
Element width
12–18 km
The width of the inclined source elements below ground.
Dip angle
40–90 °
The element’s tilt from horizontal: 0° is horizontal and 90° is vertical.
Strike
258.5 °
The compass direction in which an element extends, measured clockwise from north.
Rupture patterns
2
Alternative rupture arrangements or sequences considered by the model.
Display grid cells
15
Regular aggregated grid cells used to depict the source area. This is not the number of source records or original shapes.

Source and limitations

Source: J-SHIS, operated by Japan’s National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED). JISHINDESU organises the Y2020 maximum-case data for presentation. This page is not an earthquake prediction, building-safety assessment or evacuation notice. Use current JMA and local-authority information for safety decisions.

In accordance with the J-SHIS terms, we publish only model-level summaries and coarse display geometry that cannot reproduce the original vertex sequences. This is not a redistributed copy of the source dataset.

Data retrieved: 05/09/2026

Open the source data in J-SHIS ↗J-SHIS terms of use ↗Explore local earthquake history →