Question

Since the devastation of the tsunami in Indonesia, geologists throughout the world have renewed their efforts to understand fault planes. Though there is no absolutely accurate way to predict earthquakes, scientists in Japan have begun setting off explosives along a geological fault line. They are A) forcing people to move from the area. B) investigating the vegetation along the fault line. C) hoping to destroy the fault before it can cause an earthquake. D) analyzing the Earth's structure and trying to map the danger spots.

Answer 1

Scientists in Japan have begun setting off explosives along a geological fault line analyzing the Earth's structure and trying to map the danger spots.

Explanation:

Japan lies in the world’s highest active earthquake belt along the Pacific Ring of Fire and is highly prone to earthquakes. Understanding and analyzing the activities of the geological fault lines helps to identify the danger spots of earthquakes and mark the hazard zones. This helps to prevent the damage of earthquakes by providing pre-warnings and precautions.  

There are numerous fault lines across Japan and scientists are trying to identify the danger spots by triggering explosions along the fault line in the south-west of Tokyo. This fault line separates Japan mainland from the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan.

The explosions help to analyze the movement of the tectonic plates underneath the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. This helps to track tsunamis arising from oceans during high-intensity earthquakes.