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Hi all, a richter scale is based on powers of ten, which means that an increase of one unit on the scale implies a tenfold increase in ground motion. ie: a mag 2 earthquake produces 10 times more maximum ground motion than a mag 1 quake. A mag 3 quake produces 10 times more again, which is 10 x 10 =100 times greater ground motion than a mag 1 quake.

 

so my question is:How many times greater ground motion of a mag 7 compared to a mag 5.

 

Would i be in thinking the anwser would be 200

or would it just be a 2. (ie: the difference being a mag 2)

 

 

thanks carl1

How many times greater motion is there in a mag 7 vs a mag 6? How many times greater motion is there in a mag 6 vs a mag 5? Hint: you've already done the analysis in your first paragraph.