Geology of Japan
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The islands of Japan are primarily the result of volcanism caused by the subduction of the Philippine Plate and the Pacific Plate beneath the continental Eurasian Plate and the North American Plate. The northeastern parts of Japan belong to the North American Plate and the southwestern parts belong to the Eurasian Plate.
Japan was originally attached to eastern coast of the Eurasian continent. The subducting plates, being deeper than the Eurasian plate, pulled Japan eastward, opening the Sea of Japan around 15 million years ago. The Strait of Tartary and the Korea Strait opened much later.
Japan is situated in a volcanic zone on the Pacific Ring of Fire. Frequent low intensity earth tremors and occasional volcanic activity are felt throughout the islands. Destructive earthquakes, often resulting in tsunamis, occur several times a century. The most recent major quakes include the 2004 Chuetsu Earthquake and the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Hot springs are numerous and have been developed as resorts.
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