Hi All. Math has never been one of my strong points so feel free to correct me if I’m wrong with this equation.

They say the Bay Area can expect at least a 7.0 magnitude quake in the next 30 years.

The magnitude scale is really comparing amplitudes of waves on a seismogram, not the STRENGTH (energy) of the quakes. So, a magnitude 7.0 is 1000 times bigger than a 4.0 quake as measured on seismograms, but the 7.0 quake is about 32,768 times STRONGER than the 4.0. Since it is really the energy or strength that knocks down buildings, this is really the more important comparison. This means that it would take about 32,768 quakes of magnitude 4.0 to equal the energy released by one magnitude 7.0 event.

A 7.0 quake is 10 time larger then a 6.0 quake but releases 32 time more energy, 100 times larger then a 5.0, but releases 1024 times more energy and is a 1000 times larger then a 4.0, but releases 32,768 more energy. By using 32 x 32 x 32 you get the figure 32,768.

That means we would have to have 32,768 quakes one right after the other to equal one 7.0 magnitude quake. Somehow I don’t see the quakes we have been having in the Bay Area as an indication of stress release. Take Care…Don in creepy town