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Earthquake A has a Richter Magnitude of 7 compared with earthquake B's 6. This indicate that?
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Which two earthquakes best show that the Richter scale measurement does not indicate the loss of life in earthquakes?
The 1988 Armenia earthquake (25,000 killed) and 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (63 killed), both magnitude 6.9.
What does a Richter scale measure on an earthquake?
RICHTER SCALEThe Richter scale (known as the local magnitude scale to seismologists) was originally developed to measure small to moderate magnitude earthquakes in southern California by Charles Richter and Beno Gutenberg. The numerical levels indicate the energy released by a particular quake. The numerical value is obtained from the logarithm of the maximum amplitude of seismic waves as recorded on a seismometer. This value is then scaled to account for the distance from the epicentre of the earthquake to the seismometer so as to allow the value to be correlated with the local magnitude readings from other seismometers in differing locations (as seismic waves lose their energy as they propagate through the earth so if this correction was not made, then different seismometer stations at different distances would give differing Richter magnitudes for the same earthquake). The Richter magnitude measurement produced by this methodology in theory has no limit and may be positive or negative.As stated above, the Richter scale itself is a logarithmic mathematical formula which is calibrated so that a ten fold increase in amplitude relates to a single whole number increase on the scale (e.g. an earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 5 has seismic waves with a maximum amplitude 10 times larger than those for a magnitude 4). It has a number of practical limitations, in that it is poor at recording earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7 and at distances greater than 650 km from a seismometer.The equation for calculating the Richter magnitude (MR) is shown below:MR = (Log10A) - (Log10A0)WhereA = maximum zero to peak amplitude of seismic wave (mm) recorded.A0 = Empirical function derived from the distance from seismometer station to earthquake epicentreLog10A0 From 0 to 200 km distance:Log10A0 = 0.15 - 1.6 log(distance in km)Between 200 and 600 km distance by:Log10A0 = 3.38 - 3.0 log(distance in km)Due to the limitations described above (distance and maximum size of measurable earthquake), it has since been replaced by the Moment Magnitude Scale in the measurement of large earthquakes - for information on this, please see the related question.the richter scale reads the magnitude of earthquake.
Where is the epicenter of the New Madrid earthquake that happened in 1812?
The seismograph was not invented until the later part of the nineteenth century. So the magnitude and exact locations of the earthquake(s) that occurred on the New Madrid Fault (or Reelfoot Rift ) in 1811 and 1812 are not known. Evidence from "sand blows" indicate the epicenter of one of the larger ones that occurred on February 7 of 1812, was near the town of New Madrid, Mo.
Can the smell of rotten eggs indicate an earthquake?
An earthquake does not produce any particular smell. Indirect effects of earthquakes may rupture gas lines and start fires and so create the smell of natural gas or of various materials burning.
Can you describe the physical geography of the Haitian earthquake?
What is the global and regional tectonic setting of Haiti?On a global tectonic scale, Haiti is located near the northern boundary of the Caribbean plate, close to where it meets the North American plate. In this area, the Caribbean plate is moving eastwards by about 20 mm/year relative to the North American plate.On a subregional tectonic scale, Haiti is situated on the eastern end of of a smaller plate that separates the Caribbean and the North American plates known as the Gonave micro-plate. This micro-plate and hence Haiti is bounded to the north by the Oriente and Septentrional Fracture Zones and to the south by the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault which are both transform faults (very similar to the San Andreas Fault in the USA).What caused the earthquake?The Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault has been locked for approximately 250 years. As such, stresses have accumulated in the earth's crust over this time, causing energy to be stored in the form of elastic strain (like that in a compressed spring). Ultimately this stress has exceeded the shear strength of the crust in the fault zone causing a sudden brittle failure or rupture.This in turn causes movement and a sudden release of the stored elastic strain energy in the form of seismic waves (as well as heat and sound).The rupture of the fault zone was approximately 65 km (40 miles) in length with an average slip of 1.8 m (5.9 ft). Analysis of seismometer data showed that the seismic waves produced by the movement on the fault had amplitudes of up to 4 m (13 ft).Where exactly did the earthquake occur?The earthquake's epicentre (the point on the surface directly above the earthquake) was 25 km WSW of the Haitian capital city, Port-Au-Prince.According to the USGS the exact co-ordinates were 18.457°N, 72.533°W.How deep was the earthquake?The hypocentre was 13 km below the Earth's surface.How powerful was the earthquake?The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.0 (on the Moment Magnitude Scale) and a severity of Extreme (X) on the Modified Mercalli (MM) scale.Were there any aftershocks?The US Geological survey report that (as of the 5th of February, 2010) there have been 59 aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 or greater. Sixteen of which had magnitudes of 5.0 or above.The two largest aftershocks had a magnitude of 6.0 and 5.9. The magnitude 6.0 aftershock occurred 7 minutes after the main earthquake on the 12th of January and the magnitude 5.9 aftershock occurred at 11:03 GMT on the 20th of January.Where did the Haiti earthquake hit with the greatest intensity?The USGS indicate that the highest intensity (perceived shaking) with a level of 10 (X) on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale occurred in Grand Goave (population 5000). The Haitian capital Port-au-Prince suffered an intensity 9 (IX) event. The scale indicates that at this intensity structures will suffer heavy to very heavy damage.What area of Haiti was affected by the earthquake?The whole of Haiti was affected to some extent by the earthquake with the whole country experiencing at a minimum a moderate or level V event on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale which is capable of causing damage to buildings.A significant number of the largest cities in Haiti were exposed to level 9 intensity events which are described as being capable of causing severe damage to structures. These cities included the Haitian capital, Port-Au-Prince with a population of 1.235 million people, Carrefour with a population of 442 thousand and Delmas with a population of 383 thousand.Why was the earthquake so destructive?The earthquake was so destructive for a number of reasons:The earthquake occurred at shallow depth - this means that the seismic waves have to travel a smaller distance through the earth to reach the surface so maintain more of their energy.The earthquake occurred in close proximity to a populated area. This again means that there is very little attenuation of the seismic waves (i.e. they still have most of their energy and so are more destructive when they arrive).The buildings in Port-Au-Prince and other areas of Haiti were in very poor condition in general and were not designed or constructed to be earthquake resistant.
Who is the American scientist who discover an indicate magnitude of an earthquake?
Mr. Magnitude false cabin
Which two earthquakes best show that the Richter scale measurement does not indicate the loss of life in earthquakes?
The 1988 Armenia earthquake (25,000 killed) and 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (63 killed), both magnitude 6.9.
What does the height of the jagged lines on a seismograph indicate?
It indicates that it is greater for a more severe earthquake or for an earthquake close to the seismograph.
Does the height Of the jagged lines on a seismograph indicate?
It indicates that it is greater for a more severe earthquake or for an earthquake close to the seismograph.
What instrument produces patterns which indicate earthquake?
seismograph
Why might cloudy water be indicative of an upcoming earthquake?
cloudy water has high sediment content, which may indicate an upcoming earthquake
What does a Richter scale measure on an earthquake?
RICHTER SCALEThe Richter scale (known as the local magnitude scale to seismologists) was originally developed to measure small to moderate magnitude earthquakes in southern California by Charles Richter and Beno Gutenberg. The numerical levels indicate the energy released by a particular quake. The numerical value is obtained from the logarithm of the maximum amplitude of seismic waves as recorded on a seismometer. This value is then scaled to account for the distance from the epicentre of the earthquake to the seismometer so as to allow the value to be correlated with the local magnitude readings from other seismometers in differing locations (as seismic waves lose their energy as they propagate through the earth so if this correction was not made, then different seismometer stations at different distances would give differing Richter magnitudes for the same earthquake). The Richter magnitude measurement produced by this methodology in theory has no limit and may be positive or negative.As stated above, the Richter scale itself is a logarithmic mathematical formula which is calibrated so that a ten fold increase in amplitude relates to a single whole number increase on the scale (e.g. an earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 5 has seismic waves with a maximum amplitude 10 times larger than those for a magnitude 4). It has a number of practical limitations, in that it is poor at recording earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7 and at distances greater than 650 km from a seismometer.The equation for calculating the Richter magnitude (MR) is shown below:MR = (Log10A) - (Log10A0)WhereA = maximum zero to peak amplitude of seismic wave (mm) recorded.A0 = Empirical function derived from the distance from seismometer station to earthquake epicentreLog10A0 From 0 to 200 km distance:Log10A0 = 0.15 - 1.6 log(distance in km)Between 200 and 600 km distance by:Log10A0 = 3.38 - 3.0 log(distance in km)Due to the limitations described above (distance and maximum size of measurable earthquake), it has since been replaced by the Moment Magnitude Scale in the measurement of large earthquakes - for information on this, please see the related question.the richter scale reads the magnitude of earthquake.
What indicates an upcoming earthquake?
There are several things that may indicate an upcoming earthquake. Swarms, seismic activity, small tremors are the main indicators.
What is the numerical rating on the Richter scale based on?
The Richter Scale is used to rate the magnitude of an earthquake -- the amount of energy it released. This is calculated using information gathered by a seismograph. The Richter Scale is logarithmic, meaning that whole-number jumps indicate a tenfold increase.In this case, the increase is in wave amplitude. That is, the wave amplitude in a level 6 earthquake is 10 times greater than in a level 5 earthquake, and the amplitude increases 100 times between a level 7 earthquake and a level 9 earthquake. The amount of energy released increases 31.7 times between whole number values.
What term is used to indicate the region where no earthquake waves reach Earth's surface?
seismic zone
Where is the epicenter of the New Madrid earthquake that happened in 1812?
The seismograph was not invented until the later part of the nineteenth century. So the magnitude and exact locations of the earthquake(s) that occurred on the New Madrid Fault (or Reelfoot Rift ) in 1811 and 1812 are not known. Evidence from "sand blows" indicate the epicenter of one of the larger ones that occurred on February 7 of 1812, was near the town of New Madrid, Mo.
If star A is third magnitude and star B is fifth magnitude which is brighter and by what factor?
A 3rd magnitude star is brighter than a 5th magnitude star by a factor of 6.25.Each integer difference of magnitude represents a change in apparent brightness of 2.5 times. Hence, a 3rd magnitude star is 2.5 x 2.5 = 6.25 times brighter than a 5th magnitude star.(check related links)
