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What level of damage is caused by an earthquake with an intensity level of XII?
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∙ 15y ago
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∙ 15y ago
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Which number on a Richter scale represents a very destructive earthquake?
According to the US Geological Survey, earthquakes with a Richter magnitude of greater than 7 may be very destructive. The Richter scale represents the energy released by an earthquake in terms of the amplitude of the seismic waves. As such the larger the number, the more energy the earthquake has and potentially the more damage / destruction it can cause. For example the earthquake that caused the severe damage and destruction in Haiti in January 2010 was at level 7.2 on the scale. However the earthquake magnitude can't always guide the level of destruction that will occur as the Chilean earthquake that occurred in February 2010 was actually more powerful, but caused less destruction as the buildings in Chile were constructed to be earthquake resistant. The largest earthquake ever recorded by man was approximately 9.5 on the Richter scale. See the related link to the US Geological Survey for information on how earthquake magnitude can be related to the damage it may cause.
Why is the intensity value of an earthquake more meaningful than magnitude to a nonscientist?
The strength (more correctly termed magnitude) of an earthquake is a measurement of the energy released when the earthquake occurs. The intensity however is derived based on the perceived level of ground shaking at a specific location and is a function of the amplitude of seismic waves at a given point and the damage they cause. The damage caused is in turn related to the local ground conditions and the specific construction techniques followed in the area. Therefore for earthquakes of equal magnitudes, the location of the earthquake's epicentre in relation to centres of population is important. A high magnitude earthquake that occurs far from a populated area will do less damage than an lower magnitude earthquake in very close proximity to a populated area. As such the earthquake would have a lower magnitude but a higher intensity. Secondly, ground motion and the amplitude of seismic waves is strongly dependent on the medium through which they travel. Seismic waves in hard rock masses (e.g. granite) have lower amplitudes than those that travel through soft ground such as sediments and so a building constructed and founded on hard rock is less likely to be damaged. As such a lower magnitude earthquake affecting structures founded on softer sediments may ultimately cause more damage than a higher magnitude earthquake affecting structures founded on hard rock. Again this would mean that in this specific case the earthquake of equal or lower magnitude would have a potentially greater effect on structures founded on soft soils and so the the intensity would be higher. For more information, please see the related question.
What was the Modified Mercalli scale level for the Chilean earthquake 2010?
According to the US Geological survey, the maximum intensity of the magnitude 9.5 Chilean earthquake of 1960 was rated as XI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale which are described as very disastrous or extreme events which are likely to cause significant damage to structures. Please see the related link for details.
Which type of wave caused by an earthquake does the most above-ground damage?
Rayleigh waves, which are caused by interaction of the P waves and S waves. Rayleigh waves cause the most surface damage because they 'roll' the ground, causing building to topple, roads to crack and fall apart and more cracks and fissues to appear in flat level ground, such as fields and parks.
List three ways in which earthquakes can cause damage?
The damage that an earthquake inflicts depends on its magnitude and the characteristics of the ground in the area where it hits. Some examples of damages that can occur after an earthquake are landslides, the collapse of structures and the loss of lives.
What was the level of damage the Great San Francisco Earthquake of April 1906 on the Mercalli Scale?
MM Intensity- XI
What is used to determine the earthquakes intensity?
Seismologists estimate earthquake intensity based on the reports of witnesses on the level of felt ground movement, on the amount of damage caused by an earthquake and also based on the ground accelerations as measured by seismometers. The scale used to define earthquake intensity in much of the world is the Modified Mercalli scale (before this, a scale known as the Rossi-Forel scale was used). In Europe the Macroseismic scale is in use.
What was the intensity level of the new zealand earthquake?
It measured 6.3 on the Richter scale
What does the term intensity mean as it relates to earthquakes?
This term describes the perceived level of ground shaking that occurs in a given area for an earthquake and can be estimated based on the damage caused to buildings and other infrastructure as well as on witness reports and based on measured accelerations of the ground taken from seismometers.
Where did the Haitian earthquake hit the hardest?
The US Geological Survey provide a contour map of earthquake intensity for the earthquake that occurred on the 12th of January, 2010. This indicates 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 event. The scale indicates that at this intensity structures will suffer heavy to very heavy damage. Please see the related links and question.
What intensity of an earthquake when it is felt by several persons at rest?
It depends what location you are at, if your in a basic neighbourhood at sea level, an earthquake of about2.7-3.3.
What kind of scale measures earthquakes according to the level of damage?
The rIchter scale measures the damage level of an earthquake
What was the magnitude and intensity of the Haitian earthquake that occurred on the 12th of January 2010?
The earthquake had a Moment magnitude of 7.0 and a Mercalli intensity of Extreme (Level X). Please see the related questions for more information.
How do scientists measure the intensity and magnitude of an earthquake?
The moment magnitude scale, which has generally replaced the Richter scale, uses the following equation:Mw = (2/3) log10 (M0) - 10.7Mw (mechanical work) is the magnitude, this is a dimensionless number.M0 is the seismic moment in dyne centimeters.it's simple. you use a seismograph. to explore the dimension of this instrumental physician. and then you extract the wood from the box
The scale most widely used by scientists for measuring earthquakes is the?
This depends on what they are trying to measure. If they are interested in the amount of energy an earthquake produces (magnitude), then they will make an initial measurement using the Richter magnitude scale. If it is a large earthquake (greater than 8.0) they will use the moment magnitude scale. If they are interested in the damage caused by an earthquake and the level of ground shaking in a specific area they will use an intensity scale. The most commonly used intensity scales are the Modified Mercalli scale, the European Macroseismic scale, the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale, in India, Israel, Russia and throughout the CIS they use the MSK-64 scale and in China, the China Seismic Intensity Scale. These are all conceptually similar to the Modified Mercalli scale.
Is the Richter scale better than the Mercalli scale?
The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake.Logarithmic scale is the other measurement which is what you use when talking about how much a measurement of an earthquake goes up by.There are also but here is just a few.
Which number on a Richter scale represents a very destructive earthquake?
According to the US Geological Survey, earthquakes with a Richter magnitude of greater than 7 may be very destructive. The Richter scale represents the energy released by an earthquake in terms of the amplitude of the seismic waves. As such the larger the number, the more energy the earthquake has and potentially the more damage / destruction it can cause. For example the earthquake that caused the severe damage and destruction in Haiti in January 2010 was at level 7.2 on the scale. However the earthquake magnitude can't always guide the level of destruction that will occur as the Chilean earthquake that occurred in February 2010 was actually more powerful, but caused less destruction as the buildings in Chile were constructed to be earthquake resistant. The largest earthquake ever recorded by man was approximately 9.5 on the Richter scale. See the related link to the US Geological Survey for information on how earthquake magnitude can be related to the damage it may cause.
