In class, we will discuss the different scales used to measure earthquakes. Two of the scales—the Richter and Moment Magnitude Scales—are quantitative; they measure the strength of the earthquake. The Mercalli Scale is qualitative, based on observations; it is used to assess damage. For this assignment, we will be researching historical earthquakes to assign a Mercalli Intensity.
Choose one of the following three historical earthquakes to research:
San Francisco Earthquake, 1906
New Madrid Earthquake, 1811
Charleston Earthquake, 1886
For your earthquake locate two of the following three types of resources using a google search. (We will be learning search skills from our STEM Librarian during our class session on Thursday.)
Government documents
Personal/first-hand accounts, including newspaper records
Images, including photographs and contemporaneous artwork
Assign a Mercalli Intensity to your earthquake based on the Mercalli Intensity Scale from the USGS and explain why you chose this value; this should be done in a few short paragraphs.
Find the estimated Moment Magnitude of your earthquake.
Create a reference list (works cited/bibliography) for your resources. This can be done using whatever formatting you are most comfortable with (MLA, APA, etc.), but please be consistent with your citations.
Copy and paste the text to the worksheet (below the line of stars) and use it as the template/structure for your submission to this assignment.
Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale
Source: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/modified-mercall…
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(Please copy, paste, and use this portion to organize your submission.)
Historical Earthquakes and the Mercalli Scale Worksheet
Highlight (indicate) the historical earthquake you researched.
San Francisco Earthquake, 1906
New Madrid Earthquake, 1811
Charleston Earthquake, 1886
Highlight the two types of resources you found using a google search.
Government documents
Personal/first-hand accounts, including newspaper records
Images, including photographs and contemporaneous artwork
Mercalli Intensity:
Explanation for why this intensity was assigned:
Moment Magnitude:
Reference List:
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