Listen to the Earth

How do rocks move and flow deep inside the earth's crust and mantle? Simplified models show the internal transformations of our living planet, we learn why earthquakes are inevitable and find out how to prepare for them.

What are the magnitude and intensity of an earthquake? Why do earthquakes happen? How can we prepare? We discover how an earthquake's scale is related to the size of the underground fissure, and why earthquakes that continue for a long time are especially feared.

Learn what causes volcanic eruptions and learn tips to keep yourself safe in the event of an eruption.

What happens to a volcano before it erupts? Through experiments, we learn about the warning signs of an eruption, such as earthquakes and ground deformation.

So-called "phreatic" eruptions can be hard to predict. If one happens when you're nearby, how do you keep yourself safe? We explore that question through experiments using a model volcano.

We visit a facility with weather forecaster Kyoko Sasaki where you can see lightning being made, and learn about its mechanisms. We also take a quiz on how to protect yourself from lightning by answering questions such as "Will you be safe if I don't wear metal accessories?" and "Can you escape lightning by standing under a tree?"

Why do tornados occur? We go to the meteorological museum in Tokyo with weather forecaster Kyoko Sasaki to see a device that creates tornados while investigating how they form. It's very difficult to predict just when and where a tornado will occur. Learn ways to protect yourself and how to seek shelter from a tornado.

Typhoons pass by Japan every year between summer and autumn, causing widespread damage. But typhoons are actually a predictable natural disaster. Meteorologist Kosaku Moteki explains how to read typhoon course forecast maps and how typhoons are born and develop in an easy-to-understand way.

Typhoons can cause flooding, landslides, storm tides and other devastating phenomena. Figure out the places in your area that would be dangerous, and then make a "hazard map."

In Japan, where roughly half the population is located in areas that are at risk of flooding, everyone should be aware of the risks flooding poses. We think about how to guard against a flood.