Since Japan is not connected to a continent, the pieces of land formed are completely surrounded by water and thus are islands. In ancient Japan people believed that a giant catfish lurked under the islands of Japan and when it moved the earth quaked. In the 1970's some scientists tested a method for predicting quakes based on this myth. They kept catfish swimming in a tank and observed them for odd behavior. The fish failed to predict 19 of the 20 quakes that occurred during that period.
Students explain how major events are related to each other in time.
Students frame questions that can be answered by historical study and research. Use a world map or globe to point out the land and the water on earth. Ask students to point out any islands they see. Explain that an archipelago is a chain of related islands. Ask students to find some on the map and point them out.