Volcanic Eruption Classification
Volcanic Eruptions are classified using the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI). The VEI measures explosivity, volume of ash and the height ash reaches in the atmosphere. There have been a total of 35 eruptions in the past 10 years, with only 5 of them being unconfirmed. Most of these had a VEI of 0 or 1, and only 7 of 2 VEI. [5][6]
Japan's Typhoon Classification
There are several different classification systems due to the difference in intensity of the average typhoon. According to Japan's National Institute of Informatics, "the definition of a 'typhoon' is different between the Japanese standard and the international standard. A tropical storm with the wind speed of more than 34 kt is called a 'typhoon' in Japan, while in the international standard, that with the wind speed of more than 64kt is called a 'typhoon'."[7]. As seen in the table above, the "Intensity Class" is Japan's classification while the "International Category" is set by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
Japan's Earthquake Classification
Earthquakes are measured using two scales, the Seismic Magnitude Scale and the Seismic Intensity Scale. The Magnitude Scale is commonly referred to as the Richter Scale. The Richter Scale measures the amount of energy which is released in an earthquake.
Japan's Shindo Scale.xlsx | |
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The Shindo Scale is Japan's national system for determining the intensity of an earthquake. Different countries usually have their own ways of measuring the intensity of earthquakes, for example, United States and Hong Kong use a Modified Mercalli Scale. The Mercalli Scale measures the effects of an earthquake on its surroundings which differs from the Shindo Scale, which uses measurements from ground acceleration. [8]