Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The Modified Mercalli intensity scale (MM, MMI, or MCS) measures the effects of an earthquake at a given location. This is in contrast with the seismic magnitude usually reported for an earthquake. Magnitude scales measure the inherent force or strength of an earthquake – an event occurring at greater or lesser depth. (The "M w" scale is ...
Where an earthquake is not recorded on seismographs an isoseismal map showing the intensities felt at different areas can be used to estimate the location and magnitude of the quake. [1] Such maps are also useful for estimating the shaking intensity, and thereby the likely level of damage, to be expected from a future earthquake of similar ...
Surface motion map for a hypothetical earthquake on the northern portion of the Hayward Fault Zone and its presumed northern extension, the Rodgers Creek Fault Zone. A seismic hazard is the probability that an earthquake will occur in a given geographic area, within a given window of time, and with ground motion intensity exceeding a given threshold.
The magnitude of an earthquake can be estimated by measuring the area affected by intensity level III or above in km 2 and taking the logarithm. [1] A more accurate estimate relies on the development of regional calibration functions derived using many isoseismal radii. [7] Such approaches allow magnitudes to be estimated for historical ...
An earthquake's seismic moment can be estimated in various ways, which are the bases of the M wb, M wr, M wc, M ww, M wp, M i, and M wpd scales, all subtypes of the generic M w scale. See Moment magnitude scale § Subtypes for details. Seismic moment is considered the most objective measure of an earthquake's "size" in regard of total energy. [50]
The formula to calculate surface wave magnitude is: [3] = + (), where A is the maximum particle displacement in surface waves (vector sum of the two horizontal displacements) in μm, T is the corresponding period in s (usually 20 ± 2 seconds), Δ is the epicentral distance in °, and
Earthquake epicenters 1963–98. In seismology, a seismic zone or seismic belt is an area of seismicity potentially sharing a common cause. It can be referred to as an earthquake belt as well. It may also be a region on a map for which a common areal rate of seismicity is assumed for the purpose of calculating probabilistic ground motions.
The determination of seismic risk is the foundation for risk mitigation decision-making, a key step in risk management. Large corporations and other enterprises (e.g., local governments) analyze their 'portfolio' of properties, to determine how to best allocate limited funds for structural strengthening of buildings, or other risk reduction measures such as emergency planning.