First-apologies to the group for inadvertently inserting this thread into another one previously.

Thanks for the clarification, John. Seems that the analyst quoted by CNN was speaking on the fly - she had at least some understanding of the technicalities, but knew she was speaking to a non-technical audience.

I pursued the matter here just 'cause I'm aware of one interesting topographical effect, ridge shattering, which produces a local increase in shaking - sort of a counter-example to the analyst's flatlands/intensity statement.

Thanks again, John - always good to have a knowledgeable source.

Michael Williams in Arroyo Grande, CA USA