How many do you know? An earthquake trivia quiz: from general knowledge to fun facts

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

When an earthquake strikes, are you confident you can take the right actions? Information about earthquakes themselves and evacuation procedures is continually updated as new quakes occur over time, so many people still hold outdated or incorrect knowledge.

In this article, we present earthquake trivia and fun facts for the general public in a quiz format! You can enjoy learning useful knowledge for emergencies—such as what actions to take when an earthquake happens, the seismic intensity scale, and the number for the disaster message service.

To strengthen your disaster preparedness, why not take this opportunity to review the earthquake knowledge you “thought you knew”?

How many do you know? Earthquake Trivia Quiz: From General Knowledge to Fun Facts (21–30)

What kind of earthquake is the Nankai Trough earthquake considered to be?

trench-type earthquake
fault-type earthquake
volcanic earthquake

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trench-type earthquake

The Nankai Trough earthquake is called a trench-type earthquake and, because it occurs at the boundary between tectonic plates, it is also known as a plate-boundary earthquake. Around Japan, multiple plates such as the Pacific Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate collide, so this type of earthquake occurs frequently.

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What do you call the state in which a displacement has occurred in the ground?

cross section
fault
stratum

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fault

A state in which the ground has shifted is called a fault. When this shift occurs suddenly, a large earthquake can happen. Earthquakes often occur when underground faults slip, and faults that appear at the surface are sometimes called active faults; these can also be found under the sea.

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In which era did the oldest recorded earthquake in Japan occur?

Asuka period
Heian period
Kamakura period

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Asuka period

The oldest earthquake recorded in Japan is the Hakuchi Earthquake of 684, documented in the Nihon Shoki, which corresponds to the Asuka period. It is said that the damage at the time was also described in detail. This earthquake was a massive one that occurred on the 14th day of the 10th month in the 13th year of Emperor Tenmu, in the late Asuka period.

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Which is the largest fault in Japan?

Itoigawa–Shizuoka Tectonic Line fault zone
Median Tectonic Line
Arima–Takatsuki Fault Zone

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Median Tectonic Line

The largest fault in Japan is the Median Tectonic Line. It is said to be an ancient fault that is still active today, forming an active fault zone whose onshore segment alone extends over about 1,000 km. This is considered the longest and one of the largest fault zones in Japan, and it is also said to have the potential to cause a major earthquake in the future.

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What is the best way to act if an earthquake occurs while you are driving?

Keep running without stopping
Turn on the hazard lights and slowly pull over to the left to stop.
Dash out immediately and flee on foot.

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Turn on the hazard lights and slowly pull over to the left to stop.

If an earthquake occurs while you are driving, first turn on your hazard lights, slowly pull over to the left, and stop. Then gather information via the car radio or other sources, and decide how to act according to the situation—whether to get out and evacuate or to continue driving. If you evacuate and leave your car, move it off the roadway as much as possible.

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In conclusion

We shared general earthquake trivia and fun facts in a quiz format—did it help you boost your disaster preparedness while having fun? Each of these pieces of knowledge can help protect your life in an emergency.

Try weaving them into conversations with your family and take the time to review your disaster preparations together with your loved ones!