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What would happen if a 10.0 earthquake hit?
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. Tsunami would continue for several days, causing damage to several Pacific Rim nations.
Can there be an earthquake higher than 10?
No. Mw 10 earthquakes due to slip on faults are not possible as the length of the fault required will be greater the circumference of the earth. Between 10 and 11, the seismic waves go all around the world and empty lakes on the other side of the planet.
How strong is a magnitude 10 earthquake?
Earthquake Magnitude Scale
| Magnitude | Earthquake Effects | Estimated Number Each Year |
|---|---|---|
| 6.1 to 6.9 | May cause a lot of damage in very populated areas. | 100 |
| 7.0 to 7.9 | Major earthquake. Serious damage. | 10-15 |
| 8.0 or greater | Great earthquake. Can totally destroy communities near the epicenter. | One every year or two |
Is a 9.0 earthquake possible in California?
Geophysicists estimate that the Cascadia Subduction Zone, an intersection of tectonic plates just off the northwestern coast that stretches from the northern tip of California up to Canada, is capable of generating an earthquake with a magnitude as high as a 9.0 .
How powerful is a 9.0 earthquake?
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake can last for five minutes or longer, and the amount of energy released is about 1,000 times greater than that of a 7.0. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the most powerful quakes could leave few if any masonry buildings standing, destroy bridges and toss objects into the air.
Can earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger happen?
No, earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger cannot happen. The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the length of the fault on which it occurs. That is, the longer the fault, the larger the earthquake. A fault is a break in the rocks that make up the Earth’s crust, along which rocks on either side have moved past each other.
How much stronger is a magnitude 7 earthquake than a 5?
A magnitude 7 earthquake is 100 times stronger than a magnitude 5 earthquake. This is because the magnitude scale is logarithmic in nature. In terms of energy, a magnitude 7 earthquake releases 1000 times more energy than a magnitude 5 earthquake. This is because the relation between the magnitude (M) and energy (E) is log E = 11.5 + 1.5 M.
How is the magnitude of an earthquake related to the fault?
The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the length of the fault on which it occurs. That is, the longer the fault, the larger the earthquake. A fault is a break in the rocks that make up the Earth’s crust, along which rocks on either side have moved past each other.
What would happen if there was an earthquake in Seattle?
A minor earthquake in Seattle forms the trigger to a magnitude 10.5 earthquake which destroys San Francisco and then Los Angeles. The earthquake creates fault lines in the sea floor, which in turn creates a massive tsunami which capsizes a large cruise ship (which heavily resembles the Queen Mary 2) and causes massive damage to Honolulu, Hawaii.