Estimates of Tokyo quake peril increased

An earthquake centered under Tokyo Bay has more destructive potential than originally thought, Japanese scientists have concluded. A team from Japan's science ministry said in a new report that a magnitude 7.3 quake centered under the northern part of the bay could rock coastal areas and northeastern Kanagawa Prefecture with shaking up to magnitude 7, The Yomiuri Shimbun reported Sunday. The report updated predictions on the intensity of shaking greater Tokyo would experience during a major quake. The Yomiuri Shimbun said the conclusions showed more intense shaking in more areas than previous estimates. For example, the number of areas that would experience dangerous magnitude 6 shaking during a 7.3 quake was nearly double the earlier predictions. The researchers modeled 18 potential earthquake scenarios. The north end of the bay was considered to hold the potential for the most amount of damage.