Question

The 1985 Mexico City earthquake measured a magnitude 8.0 on the Richter scale. The Richter scale uses the function M() = log(I/I₀). Which equation relates the intensity of the 1985 earthquake, I, with the intensity of the threshold quake, I₀?

A) M(I) = 8.0
B) I = 10^(8.0) * I₀
C) M(I) = log(8.0) - log(I₀)
D) I = 10^8.0 * I₀

Answer 1

The equation that relates the intensity of the 1985 earthquake, I, with the intensity of the threshold quake, I₀, on the Richter scale is I = 10^(8.0) * I₀.

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation that relates the intensity of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, I, with the intensity of the threshold quake, I₀, on the Richter scale is

I = 10(M) * I₀

where M is the magnitude of the earthquake. In this case, M = 8.0, so the equation becomes:

I = 10^(8.0) * I₀

Therefore, the correct answer is (D) I = 10^8.0 * I₀.