Question

USA Today reported that Parkfield, California, is dubbed the world's earthquake capital because it sits on top of the notorious San Andreas fault. Since 1857, Parkfield has had a major earthquake on the average of 1.2 times every 22 years. Explain why a Poisson probability distribution would be a good choice for r = number of earthquakes in a given time interval.

Answer 1

probability of Number of earth quakes in a fixed interval of time is to be determined at a mean rate of 1.2 times once every 22 years.

Explanation:

Poisson probability distribution is used to determine probability of an event in a fixed interval of time and space given that the event occurs with known mean rate and independently of time since its last occurance.

In this scenario,

Mean is 1.2 times once every 22 years.

probability of number of earth quakes in any fixed interval of time is to be determined

occurance of event that is number of earth quake in a fixed interval is independent variable.