As Far as earthquakes go, the one that hit japan on March 11, 2011, was one of t he worst.

Earthquakes are measured on the Richter scale that is a single digit ( With a decimal) value for the earthquakes energy output. This is useful for the m easurement of earthquakes because it allows for big numbers to be simplified int o numbers that we can use and understand. It is also important because, with th e help of the magnitude, scientists can predict the aftermath of the earthquake with greater accuracy. This can help groups come up with appropriate responses t o the effects of an earthquake. The magnitude of an earthquake really varies as you increase up the scale. The output of a Magnitude 1 earthquake is 1.584893x 10^13 erg. The output of a magni tude 2 earthquake is 6.20957 x 10^14 (About 32 times the amount of blood cells i n your body.). The difrence just between mag 1 and mag 2 is about 6151080000000 00 erg. This is just the first step, as the diffrence bettween magintudes only i ncreasses as you go on. The most startling thing about this is that you wouldnt e ven feel anything under mag 3.4. A Mag 7 earthquake would rate at 1.58489 x 10^2 3 power. That is enough to distroy buildings and warp briges. Our earthquake, which was a stagering 8.9, was truly a natrual disastor. Using t he Rictor Scale to calculate its ERG : 10^(11.8 + 1.5(8.9)) Which is the same as 10^(25.15) Which means that this earthquake put out 1.41254 x 10^25 erg, or 1.41254 x 10^ 1 8 joules. This is an astounding amount, as that it is bigger than we can imagine . Its 141 times 1000000^3 joules. To compare it to the highest Mag I mentioned ea rlier, Mag 7, it is 1.39669 x 10^25 stronger, or about 89.1251 times stronger th an a Mag 7. This hitting a residential area, where people are all cramped togeth er like japan is devastating.

Sites Used http://schools.matter.org.uk/content/Seismology/richterscale.html http://www.wolframalpha.com/ http://www.blurtit.com/q863598.html This is part 1 of the project to be turned in by Justices group. This part was do ne by Justice Avery. The next questions were assigned to his group members, each being asked to do the next 3 questions at different times, one of which only go t the assignment the day before. So, If they dont give me their half of the work, I would like to ask that they not get the credit from my half. I would also lik e to beseech that you not judge me harshly because of what they dont do. You will get A modified version of this last page if I receive their share of th e work during or before class.