The Richter scale is used to describe the magnitude of earthquakes. The following equation represents how geologists calculate Richter scale magnitude.
x represents the amount of force produced by the earthquake.
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log (x) = Richter scale value
- the log of the force value gives the magnitude
In 2001, Washington was struck by a 6.8 Richter scale magnitude earthquake. It has been predicted that Washington is
due for a 9.5 magnitude quake.
Using the Richter scale equation, determine how much more force the 9.5 magnitude quake would have compared to
the 6.8 quake.