TOKYO: A Japanese government panel said Thursday it has slightly raised its estimated probability of a “megaquake” to up to 82 percent in the next 30 years. Such a jolt could potentially have a devastating 8-9 magnitude, trigger colossal tsunamis, kill several hundred thousand people and cause billions of dollars in damage, experts say. The Earthquake Research Committee said it has increased its estimate of the probability to between 75 and 82 percent from between 74 and 81 percent previously.
