Lesson 2: Modeling Fault Scenarios and Earthquake Intensity

• Magnitude - measure of the energy released at the source of the scale
• Factors affecting Earthquake Intensity

  1. Distance from the Epicenter
  2. Depth of the Earthquake
  3. Local Geology and Soil Type
  4. Building Structures
• SEISMIC WAVES

  • energy waves that travel through the Earth's layers
  • Main Types: Body Waves & Surface Waves
• Body Waves travel through the Earth's interior and are classified into P-waves (primary) and S-waves (secondary)
• Surface Waves

  • typically causing more damage by its traveling movement
  • Types: Love Waves and Rayleigh Waves
• Modeling Fault Scenarios:

  • Finite Element Models
  • Boundary Element Models
  • Kinematic Models
• Richter Scale measures the amplitude of seismic waves.

  
• Magnitude

  • measures energy
  • quantified using the Richter Scale and Moment Magnitude Scale
  • important for assessing the potential for widespread damage and tsunamis
• Intensity

  • measures the effects
  • Modified Mercalli Intensity