A 9.0 earthquake can leave cities in rubble.
The Richter Scale was designed in 1935 to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. Most earthquakes above level 6.0 are considered large and an earthquake measuring 9.0 or above is devastating. The results of a 9.0 earthquake differ depending on the area where it occurs, but a few events are likely to occur in any earthquake of this magnitude.
Destruction
A sufficiently large earthquake is bound to cause some degree of damage, but an earthquake measuring 9.0 can almost level cities completely, depending on the earthquake preparedness of the area. Glass from building can shatter and fall, threatening pedestrians walking by. Roofs can sometimes cave in, and in some circumstances buildings can take enough structural foundation to collapse entirely. Most people who die in earthquakes do not die as a direct result of the earthquake, but rather as a result of damaged and collapsing buildings.
Tremors
Any earthquake measuring 9.0 would likely result in significant tremors. Tremors are the small aftershocks that usually accompany earthquakes. In the case of a 9.0 earthquake, the tremors can be quite large earthquakes in themselves. Earthquakes occur when there is a movement in the tectonic plates that all land rest on. Because these plates are connected, tremors often take place quite far from the location of the original earthquake.
Tsunamis
Tsunamis are one of the most devastating aspects of a large earthquake. When tectonic plates shift, the resulting earthquake displaces water. In the case of an earthquake measuring 9.0, the amount of water displaced can be immense. These waves shoot across the water, causing destruction thousands of miles away from the earthquake. These waves devastate seaside towns, wash people out to sea and completely submerge low-lying islands.
Liquefaction
One curious aspect of large earthquakes is soil liquefaction, or simply liquefaction. When immense earthquakes occur, the shaking of the ground creates immense stress on soil. The pressure looks for an escape and finds it in the pores of soil. Water shoots up through these pores, creating a kind of sludge. In turn, this sludge acts like quicksand swallowing whatever lies on top of it. If larger buildings are resting on liquefied soil, they may topple completely.
Tags: earthquake measuring, large earthquake, case earthquake, large earthquakes, tectonic plates, These waves
