Final answer:
Moderate earthquakes with Richter magnitudes between 5.0 and 5.9 can cause significant damage to structures, particularly in populated areas. The damage caused by these quakes illustrates the energy carried in the waves, which is often discernible at the epicenter and areas farther from it. The extent of damage at any given site can be influenced by factors like the height of buildings and the characteristics of the geological strata.
Step-by-step explanation:
Earthquakes with Richter magnitudes between 5.0 and 5.9 are considered moderate and can cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructures, especially in populated areas. The effects of these earthquakes are often observable in the energy that they carry and the destruction that they cause. The waves produced by the quake, related to both their amplitude and energy, can shake entire cities. The destruction is usually more severe at the epicenter, but the tremors can be felt at distances farther from the source as well.
For example, in a city, a building may vibrate for several seconds if the driving frequency of the earthquake wave matches the natural frequency of the building, producing a resonance resulting in damage or even collapse. This resonance can affect buildings of a certain height more severely while leaving taller buildings intact, although these factors also depend on the design and materials of the structures. As earthquake waves travel along the surface of the Earth and reflect off denser rocks, constructive interference occurs at certain points. Areas farther from the epicenter might therefore still experience significant damage.
Learn more about Earthquake impacts