Problema Solution
In 1985, a city experienced an earthquake of magnitude 5.1 on the Richter scale. In 1989, another city was rocked by an earthquake measuring 4.1. By what factor must the amplitude of an earthquake change to increase its severity by 1 point on the Richter scale? (Assume that the period remains constant.)
Answer provided by our tutors
Earthquake magnitudes are reported as logarithmic values, so:
(10^5.1)/(10^4.1)
10
A 1 point increase on the Richter scale would be an earthquake increase by tenfold.