How can uncooked spaghetti illustrate the magnitude scale?
We will explore an earthquake’s magnitude through the often-reported Richter scale. Then, we will learn about the moment magnitude scale. Properties of the earthquake source relate to the moment magnitude. Seismologists (earthquake scientists) prefer use of the moment magnitude when possible.
An increase of one unit of magnitude relates to a 32 times increase in the amount of energy released. We can show this through uncooked spaghetti noodles! If a Pasta Quake magnitude (M) 5 earthquake is one spaghetti noodle, a M6 earthquake is 32 pieces of spaghetti! A M7 earthquake would be 1024 (32 x 32) spaghetti noodles! In this activity, learners use uncooked spaghetti noodles to experience different earthquake magnitudes.
Learners will be able to:
• Demonstrate that an earthquake’s magnitude is related to its energy release through the Pasta Quake model.
• Explain the differences between the Richter scale and the more accurate moment magnitude scale.
• Describe that each increase of magnitude by a whole number (M4 to M5) releases 32 times more energy.
Understanding the magnitude change, thus the relative energy released from say, magnitude 7 to magnitude 8 can be challenging. Dr. Robert Butler (Univ. of Portland) uses spaghetti to illustrate the concept by breaking pasta to show how each step up in magnitude represents a huge jump in the size of the pasta bundles. Each step in magnitude is represented by 32 times more spaghetti noodles.
The "moment magnitude" scale has replaced the Richter scale for large earthquakes. Scientists have developed far-more sensitive seismometers that, with faster computers, have enabled them to record & interpret a broader spectrum of seismic signals than was possible in the 1930's, when the Richter magnitude was developed. Find out what scientists learn from seismograms.
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