Sociology: The major earthquake that struck Japan

Sociology: The major earthquake that struck Japan

Subject: Sociology    / General Sociology
Question
The major earthquake that struck Japan was not far offshore, triggering a devastating tsunami. If that earthquake had originated hundreds of miles offshore, how would the Japanese seismologists pinpoint the epicenter, using their seismograph stations located throughout the country? Do you believe that the geologic conditions along our west coast make our country likely to experience as bad of an earthquake in the near future? Why or why not?