Richter scale (M L ), quantitative measure of an earthquake’s magnitude (size), devised in 1935 by American seismologists Charles F. Richter and Beno Gutenberg. The earthquake’s magnitude is determined using the logarithm of the amplitude (height) of the largest seismic wave calibrated to a scale by a seismograph
What is the formula for the Richter scale?
A better measure of the size of an earthquake is the amount of energy released by the earthquake, which is related to the Richter Scale by the following equation: Log E = 11.8 + 1.5 M (where Log refers to the logarithm to the base 10, E is the energy released in ergs and M the Richter magnitude).
How does a Richter scale measure earthquakes?
The Richter scale measures the largest wiggle (amplitude) on the recording , but other magnitude scales measure different parts of the earthquake. ... Intensity is a measure of the shaking and damage caused by the earthquake; this value changes from location to location.
How bad is a 7 on the Richter scale?
Intensity 7: Very strong — Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.
What is the highest Richter scale?
In theory, the Richter scale has no upper limit , but, in practice, no earthquake has ever been registered on the scale above magnitude 8.6. (That was the Richter magnitude for the Chile earthquake of 1960. The moment magnitude
Whats the largest earthquake ever recorded?
On May 22, 1960, a great Mw 9.5 earthquake , the largest earthquake ever instrumentally recorded, occurred off the coast of southern Chile. This earthquake generated a tsunami that was destructive not only along the coast of Chile.
Is it better to be upstairs or downstairs during an earthquake?
In major earthquakes, it is usually safer upstairs than being on ground level . It can be dangerous trying to run hastily downstairs. First of all, calm down and look around before you do anything.
Is a 4.5 earthquake strong?
Events with magnitudes greater than 4.5 are strong enough to be recorded by a seismograph anywhere in the world , so long as its sensors are not located in the earthquake’s shadow. The following describes the typical effects of earthquakes of various magnitudes near the epicenter. ... Recorded by seismographs.
Is a 10.0 earthquake possible?
No, earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger cannot happen . The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the length of the fault on which it occurs. ... The largest earthquake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 on May 22, 1960 in Chile on a fault that is almost 1,000 miles long...a “megaquake” in its own right.
Is a magnitude 12 earthquake possible?
The magnitude scale is open-ended, meaning that scientists have not put a limit on how large an earthquake could be, but there is a limit just from the size of the earth. A magnitude 12 earthquake would require a fault larger than the earth itself.
What is the biggest tsunami ever?
Its over 1,700-foot wave was the largest ever recorded for a tsunami. It inundated five square miles of land and cleared hundreds of thousands of trees. Remarkably, only two fatalities occurred.
Is a 9.6 earthquake possible?
Yes . In the San Andreas movie, a 9.6 magnitude earthquake hits San Francisco, which was triggered by a 9.1 magnitude quake in Los Angeles, following a 7.1 in Nevada. ... These are known as “triggered earthquakes” because they are too far away to be “aftershocks” (The Hollywood Reporter).
Has there ever been a 9 earthquake?
The world’s largest earthquake with an instrumentally documented magnitude occurred on May 22, 1960 near Valdivia, in southern Chile . It was assigned a magnitude of 9.5 by the United States Geological Survey. It is referred to as the “Great Chilean Earthquake” and the “1960 Valdivia Earthquake.”
What does a 9.0 earthquake feel like?
The shaking will feel violent and it will be difficult to stand up. The contents of your house will be a mess. A large earthquake far away will feel like a gentle bump followed several seconds later by stronger rolling shaking that may feel like sharp shaking for a little while.
What country has the most earthquakes?
For which country do we locate the most earthquakes? Japan . The whole country is in a very active seismic area, and they have the densest seismic network in the world, so they are able to record many earthquakes.
What is the strongest part of a house?
The strongest room in the house is usually the smallest room, on ground level , without external windows and the safest place to shelter during severe storms. During a storm, stay well away from glass doors and windows, in case any flying debris crashes through the glass.
