Climate and Topography
Climate:-
Tokyo's climate is influenced by
the mountains and by the sea. It is a type of climate that can be described
as humid sub- tropical; in many respects it resembles that of coastal
locations in the southeastern United States. There is a clear distinction
between the seasons. Summers are hot, humid and generally uncomfortable.
Each year there is a month long rainy season called baiu or plum
rain from the middle of June to July. This is characterized by sticky weather
with the city being invaded by bugs and insects. Winters are cool, although
only a few days have temperatures below freezing. Clear sunny weather prevails
with little or no snow. The Spring is characterized by pleasant weather
and the fall by occasional typhoons which bring heavy rain and widespread
flooding. Here is a link for the current
weather update.
Topography:-
The Kanto Plain covers parts of
7 of Japan's 47 prefectures, and measures approximately 13,000 square kilometers.
It extends from the coasts of Irabaki and Chiba prefectures in the east
for well over 100 kilometers, and Tokyo
Bay
to the mountains in the north. The 23-ward portion of Tokyo occupies
the southern part of this area, at the head of Tokyo Bay. The city's suburbs
sprawl in all the landward directions, but especially to the west, in the
Tama area and adjacent parts of the Kanagawa prefecture, where urban development
abuts the Kanto Mountains and other highlands. The Northern part of the
plain is heavily agricultural, but urban growth is making rapid development
there as well.
Regional
Map of Japan
Earthquake Hazards:-
Tokyo is at an extremely active
earthquake zone and often undergoes subterranean tremors. This is true
for most of Japan as it rests on three tectonic plate (theedge of the Eurasian
and Pacific and Philippine plates) come into contact creating sporadic
earth movements; but Tokyo is an especially dangerous site because of its
proximity to the most violent lines. A second factor that makes Tokyo especially
vulnerable to major earthquakes in addition to lying on the fault lines,
most of the downtown, most waterfront industrial areas and many crowded
residential areas, are built on loosely consolidated landfill. During an
earthquake, this land could mix with underground water and cause the buildings
to collapse.
Images of devastation from the Great Kanto earthquake that struck on September
1, 1923
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