Question

Approximately how much more energy is released in a 6.5 richter magnitude earthquake than in one with magnitude 5.5?

a. 3 times
b. 300 times
c. 30 times
d. 3000 times

Answer 1

c. 30 times The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale for the energy release during an earth quake. For every increase by 1 in magnitude, the energy released is about 31.6 times larger. So calculate the magnitude difference by subtracting. 6.5 - 5.5 = 1.0 And then multiply by 31.6, giving 31.6. And since we're just looking for approximate values, select the answer that's closest which is option "c. 30 times"

Answer 2

Answer: (C) 30 times

Richter scale is used to determine the magnitude of an earthquake from the arrival time of P and S waves. It determines the total amount of energy released during an earthquake.
If Richter magnitude scale measures 6.5 then it produces 30 times more energy than 1 Richter scale magnitude during an earthquake. The magnitude of an earthquake is plotted on a logarithmic scale from 1 to 9 and increases 10 folds by one magnitude. If 6.5 is the magnitude, it means it is 10 times more than 5.5 magnitude earthquake. Similarly the amount of energy is calculated as 30 folds. So 6.5 magnitude will have 30 folds more energy released than that with 5.5 magnitude earthquake.