On 2001-03-02 11:50 -0500, Adrian Jadic wrote:
> I have read about the different magnitudes and units of measurement. I have
> also visited that site which attempts to give an equivalent in Joules.
>
> I have a question though. I am not a geologist just a mechanical engineer
> and I am thinking through the mechanical point of wiew:
>
> Apparently we discuss about the energy dissipated during an earthquake. This
> is fine but shouldn't we also talk about the power of the earthquake? This
> would obwiously be measured in W.
>
> The reason I am saying this is because the energy dissipated does not
> completely characterize the quake. A weak earthquake over an extendet period
> of time could dissipate the same energy as a powerful one over a short
> period.
> I assume that the last one would be more dangerous than the first one.
>
> What are the magnitude scales measuring? Power or Energy?
>
> A.
Just saw this message after making the same point. Inventing a scale that
measures local power in watts sounds like a good idea!
My *guess* is that magnitudes correspond more closely to power than
energy. But in the formulas to calculate energy that I've seen, there is
no factor of time. Like I said, I don't think it's a precise science.
Bruce Raup
