SOLUTION: How can I calculate the difference in intensity between a 7.1 earthquake and an 8.8 earthquake? These numbers refer to the Richter scale of course.

Question 276097: How can I calculate the difference in intensity between a 7.1 earthquake and an 8.8 earthquake? These numbers refer to the Richter scale of course.
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

One whole number is a factor of 10. 0.3 is a factor of 2. 0.1 is approximately a factor of 1.25, and 0.2 is worth about 1.56.

8.8 minus 7.1 = 1.7.

1.7 = 1 plus 0.3 plus 0.3 plus 0.1, so you have factors of:

The Chilean quake released approximately 50 times more energy than your 7.1 quake.

John

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