# Radiocarbon analysis uncovers possible traces of hidden earthquakes off Japan's coast

Source: [Earth News - Earth Science News, Earth Science, Climate Change](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-radiocarbon-analysis-uncovers-hidden-earthquakes.html) · 2026-11-09 · Earth & Climate
Page: https://themorning.science/story/radiocarbon-analysis-uncovers-possible-traces-of-hidden-earthquakes-off-japan-s-44e27d6d745a5818
Kind: research · Impact: low

## In brief

- University of Tokyo researchers used a new type of radiocarbon analysis on a sediment core from the Kumano Sea off Japan.
- The analysis revealed multiple possible traces of previously unknown earthquakes in the Nankai Trough.
- The source excerpt is truncated and does not give further details on dates, magnitudes or methods.

## Why it matters

It suggests the seismic history of the Nankai Trough, a major fault zone off Japan, may be more complex than previously recorded, which matters for earthquake hazard assessment.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-09: Earth News reported the study on radiocarbon traces of hidden earthquakes

## Coverage

- [Radiocarbon analysis uncovers possible traces of hidden earthquakes off Japan's coast](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-radiocarbon-analysis-uncovers-hidden-earthquakes.html) — Earth News - Earth Science News, Earth Science, Climate Change, 2026-11-09

Tags: radiocarbon dating, earthquakes, nankai trough, paleoseismology, japan

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science