Which is stronger intensity or magnitude

This is used as a factor to determine the impact of the earthquake, as with greater magnitude, greater potential damage will be produced. The magnitude is calculated using the Richter scale, which is a logarithmic approach to reading the amplitude of the graph produced in the seismograph.

Intensity is a measurement of the actual strength of an earthquake. The strength is measured in terms of the damage caused by the shaking. This accounts for all the various types of damages produced in a region. In geology, intensity is a common term used to describe the amount of shaking produced in a given region by the earthquake. A strong earthquake produces more damage and thus has greater intensity.

The scale assigns a roman capital numeral to the intensity of the earthquake. The scale ranges from I least perceptive damage to XII maximum perceptive damage. As the intensity measurement depends on the perceived damage, the intensity varies on the amount of damage produced in a region. Thus the intensity varies from region to region, usually decreasing from the epicenter of the earthquake.

Epicenter is the region that is directly hit by the earthquake. The energy can be converted into yet another magnitude type called the Energy Magnitude M e.

However, since the Energy Magnitude and Moment Magnitude measure two different properties of the earthquake, their values are not the same. Did You Feel It? The earthquake epicenter is shown as a star, and the geocoded intensities are shown as small colored squares. The associated MMI value for each color is shown in the key at the bottom. Whereas the magnitude of an earthquake is one value that describes the size, there are many intensity values for each earthquake that are distributed across the geographic area around the earthquake epicenter.

The intensity is the measure of shaking at each location, and this varies from place to place, depending mostly on the distance from the fault rupture area. However, there are many more aspects of the earthquake and the ground it shakes that affect the intensity at each location, such as what direction the earthquake ruptured, and what type of surface geology is directly beneath you. Intensities are expressed in Roman numerals, for example, VI, X, etc.

Traditionally the intensity is a subjective measure derived from human observations and reports of felt shaking and damage. The data used to be gathered from postal questionnaires, but with the advent of the internet, it's now collected using a web-based form. However, instrumental data at each station location can be used to calculate an estimated intensity. The intensity scale that we use in the United States is called the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale , but other countries use other scales.

These examples illustrate how locations and depth , magnitudes, intensity, and faults and rupture characteristics are dependent and related. This shows the shaking amplitude recorded on 3 different seismometers from the M6. All 3 stations are about the same distance from the earthquake to the south, but the type of local geology beneath the instrument influences the amount of shaking at that location. Bedrock shakes the least, and soft mud the most.

Maps showing the shaking intensity from two different earthquakes with about the same magnitude. The shaking from the M6. Some cracks may appear on dikes, fish ponds, road surface, or concrete hollow block walls.

Limited liquefaction, lateral spreading and landslides are observed. Trees are shaken strongly. Liquefaction is a process by which loose saturated sand lose strength during an earthquake and behave like liquid. People find it difficult to stand even outdoors. Many well-built buildings are considerably damaged. Concrete dikes and foundation of bridges are destroyed by ground settling or toppling. Railway tracks are bent or broken. Tombstones may be displaced, twisted or overturned.

Utility posts, towers and monuments mat tilt or topple. Water and sewer pipes may be bent, twisted or broken. Liquefaction and lateral spreading cause man- made structure to sink, tilt or topple. Numerous landslides and rockfalls occur in mountainous and hilly areas. Boulders are thrown out from their positions particularly near the epicenter.

Fissures and faults rapture may be observed. Trees are violently shaken. Water splash or stop over dikes or banks of rivers. IX Devastating People are forcibly thrown to ground.

Many cry and shake with fear. Most buildings are totally damaged. Numerous utility posts, towers and monument are tilted, toppled or broken.

Water sewer pipes are bent, twisted or broken. Posted on June 4, October 15, Posted on April 21, October 15, Posted on April 15, October 15, Earthquakes Larger Than 7. Defining Earthquake Intensity — Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Scientists calculate the magnitude of an earthquake based on geological events, i.

Magnitude vs. Reviewed by Victoria Chames. Original publish date August 21, Stay in touch Keep up to date with the latest resources, opinions, news, and more.