Magnitude and Intensity -- GEOFORUM

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Date Posted: 03:37:05 09/12/99 Sun
Author: Charles
Subject: Magnitude and Intensity
In reply to: Dr. Chatterjea 's message, "(XSS229/3A)/Earthquakes" on 05:44:24 07/16/99 Fri

I know the topic is already over but I have always had students ask this difference (and I have asked for it back in return).This is my understanding:
Magnitude = the force of an earthquake which you can measure based on the Richter scale/Mercalli scale?
Intensity = how strong the impactof the earthquake is based on the effect which an area is affected.
The magnitude is simply a measurement.
The impact however is dependent on
1a)distance of the place from the epicentre
1b) depth of the epicentre???
2) Force at which the plates collide(or slide past)
3) Rock type which it is sitting on
4) and to a certain extent, the type of building which one is sitting on
Somehow this does not seem to satisfy my students still...
What do the others think?
HOw do you differentiate? The books do not offer much of an explanation/differentialtion.

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