There is no upper limit to the Richter scale. The biggest earthquake ever recorded was a 9.5.
exactly
it's a logarithmic scale and people commonly assume it "tops out" at 10 just because the strongest quakes got near, but not over 10
but it's simply a representation of the seismic energy released, so of course it doesn't have a hard upper limit
that's like saying the decibel scale only goes up to 100
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BarcardiAll the WizardsUnder A Rock: AfganistanRegistered Userregular
and obvs the richter scale goes below zero because sometimes the earth is more stiller
sometimes the earth takes a big hit and has to sit back a little
there was an earthchill registering -6.2 on the richter scale today. The planet passed its turn in the rotation, saying, "I have to meet my mom for dinner in like forty-five"
They don't cap out at anything in the modern moment magnitude scale, but the power of the seismic event changes by a factor of 10^1.5 (which is about 32) for every 1 unit on the scale, or changes by a factor of 1000 for every 2 units on the scale. This scale is calibrated to give similar values to the older Richter scale for medium earthquakes in the range of 3.0-7.0.
This quake was approximately a 8.9 on the moment magnitude scale.
I think the 10 and above region would only ever occur if something like a very large object from space collided with Earth. That's continent-splitting shit, up there.
yes it was sorry japan 8-)
but dont worry karma got me good
about 3 minutes after making that post i managed to stab myself in the hand
probably woulda been deeper too but im pretty sure my bones got in the way
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FishmanPut your goddamned hand in the goddamned Box of Pain.Registered Userregular
edited March 2011
I've totally missed an earthquake because I was having sex.
After, Jen was all "did.. did you think the bed was shaking, like more than usual earlier?"
and I was like "No."
And then later, we were hanging with friends, and they asked "did you feel that earthquake this morning?"
know that it sounds really bad over there, but I'm telling you, it's merely bad at this point.
Just some things I'd like to clarify:
* The reactors are shutdown, but still produce heat for some time afterwards (this is called decay heat). This decay heat itself goes away approximately exponentially, so the real stressful part of this evolution is already happening. Three Mile Island had already suffered its meltdown by this point as a point of reference.
* To keep the cores from melting (which would be bad for the operators, but not a disaster beyond that), they must be kept covered with water. That's actually pretty much it, although obviously there's more to it than throwing a garden hose in there. They will already have the water on-site or close by, they just need to be able to pump it in (this is the part they need power for).
* There's been tons of headlines about ONE THOUSAND TIMES NORMAL radiation levels, but that's inside of the Fukushima plant. By inside I mean in the control room, so it still sucks containment which is almost expected, but radiation levels outside the plant are a much more manageable eight times normal. (EDIT: See Hiddencamper's comment about translation issues)
* Speaking of radiation, there are far more sources of it than you probably realize. Things as simple as taking a long flight, inhaling cigarette smoke, eating a banana, and even living in brick houses in some areas can significantly contribute to radiation exposure for individuals. Although prudence dictates keeping away from all known sources of radiation, it seems that even continuous exposure to very low levels is not dangerous.
I am a nuclear-trained submarine officer so although I work on "pressurized water reactors" instead of the Fukushima's "boiling water reactor" feel free to ask questions and get some accurate feedback. Other nuclear-trained types, feel free to join in too!
Sounds to me that the reaction was stopped and what they are experiencing is totally unrelated to a scenario that would cause a runaway reaction (meltdown).
Its not an engine over-revving, but an engine that was shut off but is still very hot.
Reuters: An explosion blew the roof off an unstable reactor north of Tokyo on Saturday, Japanese media said, raising fears of a disastrous meltdown at a nuclear plant damaged in the massive earthquake that hit Japan.
However, Naoto Sekimura, a professor at the University of Tokyo, said a major radioactive disaster was unlikely.
"No Chernobyl is possible at a light water reactor. Loss of coolant means a temperature rise, but it also will stop the
reaction," he said.
"Even in the worst-case scenario, that would mean some radioactive leakage and equipment damage, but not an explosion. If venting is done carefully, there will be little leakage. Certainly not beyond the 3 km radius."
I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou.
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WeaverWho are you?What do you want?Registered Userregular
edited March 2011
Regarding enormous disasters, I just watched The Road and I know it's supposed to be unexplained but I'd say that the world looked pretty much like an extinction level asteroid strike.
Posts
exactly
it's a logarithmic scale and people commonly assume it "tops out" at 10 just because the strongest quakes got near, but not over 10
but it's simply a representation of the seismic energy released, so of course it doesn't have a hard upper limit
that's like saying the decibel scale only goes up to 100
sometimes the earth takes a big hit and has to sit back a little
there was an earthchill registering -6.2 on the richter scale today. The planet passed its turn in the rotation, saying, "I have to meet my mom for dinner in like forty-five"
They don't cap out at anything in the modern moment magnitude scale, but the power of the seismic event changes by a factor of 10^1.5 (which is about 32) for every 1 unit on the scale, or changes by a factor of 1000 for every 2 units on the scale. This scale is calibrated to give similar values to the older Richter scale for medium earthquakes in the range of 3.0-7.0.
This quake was approximately a 8.9 on the moment magnitude scale.
bitch ain't on a magnitude scale cause she just a supermassive black hole.
Infinitely dense.
Sucks in all matter.
Etc.
There need to be voices of reason man.
Hence my asking if the water had begun to recede yet.
Kiss me
hey satan...: thinkgeek amazon My post |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmzii2u5GME
sorry everybody 8-)
but dont worry karma got me good
about 3 minutes after making that post i managed to stab myself in the hand
probably woulda been deeper too but im pretty sure my bones got in the way
After, Jen was all "did.. did you think the bed was shaking, like more than usual earlier?"
and I was like "No."
And then later, we were hanging with friends, and they asked "did you feel that earthquake this morning?"
and I was
<.<
>.>
:whistle:
baby, I'll shake your world
It's battery is so low that it dies
but I plug it in and it turns back on
but shortly thereafter, it dies again
then it turns back on
ad infinitum
and no, I can't just shut it off, it automatically turns on when plugged in.
Dear satan I wish for this or maybe some of this....oh and I'm a medium or a large.
where's the line
Dear satan I wish for this or maybe some of this....oh and I'm a medium or a large.
http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/g2dc7/reddit_please_be_accurate_when_posting_about_the/
Sounds to me that the reaction was stopped and what they are experiencing is totally unrelated to a scenario that would cause a runaway reaction (meltdown).
Its not an engine over-revving, but an engine that was shut off but is still very hot.
I've done all these things, oh no
no wonder I have a baby's hand growing out of the side of my penis
No, thats because you went into space and you're in a terrible 1990's movie called Leprechaun 4.
I mean, we're entering "Oh Gosh: A Series of Disasters" territory here.
Why I fear the ocean.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT2WiL77XVo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvC4WQrQwTs&iv_load_policy=3
I'm not sure I agree with you a hundred percent on your police work, there, Lou.