GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -For each whole-number increase in magnitude, the seismic energy released increases by about 32 times. That means a magnitude 7 earthquake produces 32 times more energy-or is 32 times stronger-than a magnitude 6.

Detailed explanation-2: -The most powerful quake ever recorded was a magnitude 9.5 temblor in Chile in 1960. A magnitude 10 quake would likely cause ground motions for up to an hour, with tsunami hitting while the shaking was still going on, according to the research.

Detailed explanation-3: -While each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in the measured amplitude, it represents an 32 times more energy release. The energy can be converted into yet another magnitude type called the Energy Magnitude (Me).

Detailed explanation-4: -To compare two earthquakes in terms of shaking, you subtract one magnitude from the other and raise 10 to that power: 10^(M1-M2). For example, if the magnitude of one quake is 6 and another is 4, than the difference in magnitudes is 2, so the stronger earthquake shakes 10^2 or 100 times as hard as the milder one.

Detailed explanation-5: -The lower numbers of the intensity scale generally deal with the manner in which the earthquake is felt by people. The higher numbers of the scale are based on observed structural damage.