Japan’s earthquake scientists have warned residents about the potential for a future ‘megaquake.’ Here’s what that means.

Japanese scientists are advising the country to prepare for a potential “megaquake” that could result in hundreds of thousands of deaths, though they emphasize that this does not indicate an imminent massive tremor.

The Japan Meteorological Association (JMA) issued the warning under new regulations established after the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster that claimed approximately 18,500 lives.

What does it say?
The JMA’s “megaquake advisory” cautions that “if a major earthquake were to occur in the future, it would produce strong shaking and large tsunamis.”