but it was been untouched by the Higashi-Nankai earthquake in 1944. A time span ofmore than 140 years and the build-up of tension around the Suruga Bay area since the Meiji era point to the possibility of a great earthquake in the near future near to the Suruga Trough. We name this possible earthquake the "Tokai Earthquake".
As will be described later, a lot of measures have been taken to perfect the earthquake prediction system: the Committee for Earthquake Prediction investigates attentively the long-term signs of earthquake using the results of research on earthquake activity and crust movements. Continued analysis shows that a continuing creeping ofthe west coast of Suruga Bay points to the strong possibility of the Tokai Earthquake.
The Committee for Earthquake Prediction designated the Tokai
District a special investigation area in 1970, and a priority investigation area in 1974. The organizations concerned carry out detailed, systematic investigations to examine regularly earthquake activities and crust movements by means of water level measurement and detailed surveys.
