Question

How is the power of an earthquake is estimated? At what strength it becomes destructive?

Answer 1

Earthquake:

1. Eart has three layers:-crust (outermost), mantle (middle) and core (innermost).
2. The earth's crust is not a solid stable mass but is made of seven large and many smaller plates that floats on the viscous mantle.
3. These plates are constantly trying to move relative to each other.
4. As a result, massive pressure builds up between them, which can be released when the plates suddenly shift, causing an earthquake.

Power of an earthquake:

1. The power of an earthquake is expressed in terms of a magnitude on a scale called the Richter Scale.
2. Earthquakes of magnitude higher than $7$on the Richter scale are really destructive