Compare the strengths of earthquakes with magnitudes 5 and 8.
A) The one with a magnitude 8 is 160 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
B) The one with a magnitude 8 is 1,000 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
C) The one with a magnitude 8 is 100 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
D) The one with a magnitude 8 is 1.6 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
E) The one with a magnitude 8 is 10 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.

Question

Compare the strengths of earthquakes with magnitudes 5 and 8. ​
A) The one with a magnitude 8 is 160 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
B) The one with a magnitude 8 is 1,000 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
C) The one with a magnitude 8 is 100 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
D) The one with a magnitude 8 is 1.6 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.
E) The one with a magnitude 8 is 10 times stronger than the one with magnitude 5.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Richter scale, which measures earthquake magnitude, is logarithmic. Each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and roughly 31.6 times more energy release. Therefore, an earthquake of magnitude 8 is 10^3 (or 1,000) times stronger than one of magnitude 5 in terms of amplitude and significantly more in terms of energy release.

Compare the Strengths of Earthquakes with Magnitudes 5 and 8