2007-10-19 18:17:52 · 10 answers · asked by nikkijoon 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
A 6 can kill people. It's not the shaking in and of itself, but the caliber of damage created.
I could get killed if an unreinforced masonry building collapses onto me
2007-10-19 19:09:21 · answer #1 · answered by Experto Credo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Richter scale number gives you the energy released during earthquake from the point called focus or Hypo center. It is not directly connected with the destruction. But Richter scale 7 is heavy and 8 is very heavy .In terms of energy release it is 32 times more for each Richter scale. As far the shaking is concern it is ten times more for each Richter scale. There are several other factors like the natural frequency of the building with the frequency of earthquake & distance form epicenter ,Strength and type of buildings ,distance from epicenter, geological condition of that place are all should be considered for collapse of the building at that place that causes to kill the people. The Marcalli scale is the useful scale to asses the damages, that differs from place to place for the same earthquake. It starts from 1 to 12. The Richter scale has no upper limit. But the maximum magnitude we have experienced is 9.5.Please refer the energy release chart for your rough idea.
Approximate TNT (Tri nitro telecom ) Yield for Seismic Energy
1 30 lbs
2. 1 ton
3. 29 ton
4. 1000 ton
5. 32000 ton
6. 1 million ton
7. 32 million ton
8. 1 billion ton
9. 32 billion ton
10 1 trillion ton.
2007-10-19 19:30:05 · answer #2 · answered by A.Ganapathy India 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not earthquakes themselves that kill people. Its the damage that ensues.
A 7 or 8 has the potential for a lot of damage. Casualties are a very real possibility. They also tend to be worse in the underdeveloped world as building codes for EQ prone places are not adequate or enforced. California has very strict building codes for EQ prone areas, so I would think a large EQ would have minimal casualties compared to an underdeveloped place. But a 7 or 8 is big. Even well built structures will suffer some damage and perhaps cause fatalities.
2007-10-19 18:21:52 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 7 is a major quake that would kill people and an 8 is a very major quake that would kill a lot of people. Fremont sits on the Hayward Fault which is a major fault that is due for a 7 or greater quake.
2007-10-19 19:00:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, unless all the people in fremont are standing in an open field where nothing can land on them and the earth doesnt open up and swallow them!
2007-10-19 18:24:31 · answer #5 · answered by kells 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am going to find out from the conspiracy folks if Bush can make it happen.LOL
2016-03-13 03:13:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course.
2007-10-19 18:40:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, what if it shook down an old chandelier and it hit someone just for an example...
2007-10-19 18:21:49 · answer #8 · answered by Olivia G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
possibly...
2007-10-20 04:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by «(•¿•)»™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sure can.
2007-10-19 18:20:02 · answer #10 · answered by Judas Rabbi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋