3 ms·
A 7.1 is 1.5 megatons of TNT Seismic Energy Yield. A 9.2 is 2.5 gigatons.
by powertower 16y ago
A 7.1 is 1.5 megatons of TNT Seismic Energy Yield.
A 9.2 is 2.5 gigatons.
- whyenot 16y agoThe 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake killed 63 people and left thousands homeless in California in 1989.
- TomOfTTB 16y agoWhat made that quake significant was the duration (it went on for 15 seconds). That's a factor that supersedes the strength of the quake to an extent. Because a weaker quake will cause more damage over a long period of time. Put it this way: Hit a wall with a hammer and you might cause a dent. Continually hit that wall with a hammer for 15 seconds and you'll probably break through.
- lappet 16y agoThe 2001 earthquake in Gujarat lasted for more than 2 minutes and killed around 20,000 people. The quake struck early in the morning during India's Republic day celebrations. The authorities said that the long duration caused more damage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Gujarat_earthquake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Gujarat_earthquake
- whatusername 16y agoAnd the 2011 Christchurch Earthquake was 6.3 - killing 181. It's not just about the size - it's about where it actually hits. (Note that Christchurch had a 7.1 quake six months earlier with 0 deaths)
- follower 16y agoAnd when: the 7.1 struck about 4:30am Saturday morning--the outcome would've been very different if it had also struck at ~12:50pm weekday as the 6.3 did.