Memphis, Tennessee and San Francisco, California may seem worlds away from each

Question

Memphis, Tennessee and San Francisco, California may seem worlds away from each other in regards to culture and history, but they share a common threat: a high probability of a major earthquake in their vicinity within the next 50 years. Use the USGS fact sheets provided and the maps at your table to compare past earthquake events and future potential events for these two areas. One map is an isoseismal map and the other two are contour maps of probably peak acceleration (as a percent of gravitation acceleration) Figure 3.6 New Madrid Seismic Zone 1811-1812 San Francisco 1906 Mag.7.8 Earthquake M 7.5 earthquake Examine Figure 3.6 showing isoseismal maps for the 1906 San Francisco and 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes. Were these earthquakes of similar magnitude? Was more area affected by the New Madrid or San Francisco Earthquake? Speculate on why one of these earthquakes affected a greater area. 1. a. What was the maximum Modified Mercalli intensity for each earthquake? What is the

Explanation / Answer

There are three parts of question, hence the seprate answer is as below:

a) As understand from the isoseismal map, there is a difference in magnitude i.e. New Madrid earthquake magnitude is ~ 7.5 and San Fransisco magnitude is ~7.5. Magnitude of the earthquake is measured in richter scale, developed and named after Charles F. Richter.

b) As visible from isoseismal map, more area affected by New Madrid earthquake as the isosemic lines are covering a large area in compare to San Fransisco earthquake.

c) As the New Madrid seismic zone is activated due to faults, the severity become more here than San Fransisco. The larger the fault area, the larger the earthquake occurs.

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