the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal measured 7.8 in magnitude.in 1988 there was an earthquake in the same area that measured 6.3 on the richter scale. how many times greater was the most recent earthquake than the one in 1988?
To determine how many times greater the April 2015 earthquake in Nepal was compared to the earthquake in 1988, we can calculate the ratio of their magnitudes.
The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on a logarithmic scale called the Richter scale. The formula to calculate the ratio of magnitudes is as follows:
Ratio = 10^((Magnitude 1 - Magnitude 2)/2)
Let's calculate the ratio:
Magnitude 1 (April 2015 earthquake) = 7.8
Magnitude 2 (1988 earthquake) = 6.3
Ratio = 10^((7.8 - 6.3)/2)
= 10^1.25
≈ 17.78
Therefore, the most recent earthquake in April 2015 was approximately 17.78 times greater than the earthquake in 1988 in the same area.