Question

Earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 or greater can cause buildings with metal structures to collapse. On November 28, 1999 in Red Deer, Alberta, an earthquake of magnitude 6.9 occurred. On Vancouver Island, on May 30, 2001, an earthquake about 2.5 times as intense occurred. Was the Vancouver Island earthquake strong enough to cause buildings with metal structures to collapse? Include a mathematical justification for your answer.

Answer 1

@satellite73

Answer 2

the question is, how much stronger is a 7.0 earthquake than a 6.9 earthquake

Answer 3

since the richter scale is a logarithmic scale base ten, and since \(7-6.9=.1\) the 7.0 earthquake is \(10^{.1}\) times as strong as a \(6.9\)

Answer 4

okay thanks

Answer 5

but this question is worth 3 marks so how would I elaborate on it?

Answer 6

since \(10^{.1}=1.26\) about i would say yes since a 7.0 earthquake is \(1.26\) times as strong as a \(6.9\) earthquake

Answer 7

any other things I could add?? its worth 3 marks

Answer 8

but i would not bet more than $14 on my answer, because it is not so obvious what
"an earthquake about 2.5 times as intense occurred" means

Answer 9

so your not sure about your answer??

Answer 10

you can say a 7.0 earthquake is \(1.259\) times as strong as a \(6.9\) earthquake, and since \(2.5>1.259\) then the earthquake is more than \(7.0\)

Answer 11

Thanks for all your help ! I became a fan ;)

Answer 12

yw, my pleasure