Andy and Max, the Richter scale is a logarithmic scale based on the amplitude of the shaking, which gets recorded on a seismograph. Since it's a logarithmic scale, every number up in magnitude means it's 10 times larger in amplitude of shaking. Thus, a 8.0 quake will be 10 times more amplitude of shaking than a 7.0, 100 times more than a 6.0, and so forth.However, energy is not the same relationship. It works out that every two magnitudes up is 1,000 times more energy. Thus, a 8.0 quake generates 1,000 times more energy than a 6.0, one million times more energy than a 4.0, and so forth. Hope that helps! I used Wikipedia to make sure I had the numbers in my head correct before quoting them here.
Outrageous. Why can't I get an earthquake for once?
Quote from: Localonthe8s on November 07, 2011, 10:37:24 PMOutrageous. Why can't I get an earthquake for once? Did you not feel the one that struck the east coast earlier this year? All I can say is that I hope the aftershocks stop soon. This is getting to be a little bit much. Since I have now officially "felt" an earthquake, I am good.
Quote from: WeatherWitness on November 07, 2011, 10:39:56 PMQuote from: Localonthe8s on November 07, 2011, 10:37:24 PMOutrageous. Why can't I get an earthquake for once? Did you not feel the one that struck the east coast earlier this year? All I can say is that I hope the aftershocks stop soon. This is getting to be a little bit much. Since I have now officially "felt" an earthquake, I am good. I did, but it was pathetic. I want an earthquake that is strong enough to keep me on my knees but not strong enough to cause any considerable damage. (I do want the curio cabinet in my dining room destroyed though - it is an absolutely eyesore).
Quote from: Localonthe8s on November 07, 2011, 10:41:30 PMQuote from: WeatherWitness on November 07, 2011, 10:39:56 PMQuote from: Localonthe8s on November 07, 2011, 10:37:24 PMOutrageous. Why can't I get an earthquake for once? Did you not feel the one that struck the east coast earlier this year? All I can say is that I hope the aftershocks stop soon. This is getting to be a little bit much. Since I have now officially "felt" an earthquake, I am good. I did, but it was pathetic. I want an earthquake that is strong enough to keep me on my knees but not strong enough to cause any considerable damage. (I do want the curio cabinet in my dining room destroyed though - it is an absolutely eyesore).That's some very specific criteria. Anyway, today has been filled with too much action in Oklahoma. Tornadoes and earthquakes on the same day. Mother Nature must not like the state.
Oh quit your complaining Oklahoma. Our 5.8 in VA was a REAL earthquake