How do you use the Richter Scale's logarithmic formula?
Feb 09, 2010
in
Earthquake Questions
I have a math project where we have to present an application of logarithms in real life. I chose the richter scale and I still don’t quite understand, even after reading the explanations, I need an example. Please help me understand or refer me to an example. Thanks.
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One comment
A.Ganapathy India on February 9, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Previously there were only the method developed by Mr Charles Richter to find the energy released during earthquake from its source called focus point from in and around that place only. Now there are several methods are used according the magnitude and distance.They are Mb,Ms,Mw and so on. The calculation involves more more complications. But the basic data requirement is the distance from epicenter and maximum amplitude recorded. See the formula below.
For body wave
mb = log V p-wave +0.01delta+5.1
For surface wave
Ms = log V surface-wave + 1.66log delta+2.5
where V is the velocity of the wave in micrometers/sec, and (Delta) is the angular epicentral distance in degrees.