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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » If earthquakes of similar magnitude were to hit in all states SIMULTANEOUSLY would there be a devastating compound effect?

If earthquakes of similar magnitude were to hit in all states SIMULTANEOUSLY would there be a devastating compound effect?

Posted - March 9, 2021

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  • 10560

    I'm going to say no.  Although it may seem like there would be (after all there would be 50 separate earthquakes), one has to take in other factors -

    * Epicenters.  The energy released from an earthquake is grater at its epicenter.  States are large (land mass), so not every quake can have the same epicenter.  The location of the epicenter is also a factor.  A deep quake may not be as destructive as a shallow quake.  Temperature and pressure pay a part on speeding up or slowing down a seismic wave.

    * Distance.  Although the seismic wave may travel through all 50 states, each wave dissipates with distance.  For example, a 7.0 in San Francisco (CA) may cause massive damage there, but the quake may not even be felt in Truckee (CA). 

    * Rocks.  Seismic waves can be dissipated quicker depending on the different types of rock they have to travel through (granite, basalt, etc.).  Certain types of rocks “move” more than others.  Structures on soils like clay or sand may receive more damage that structure s on granite  - even if they are the same distance from the epicenter. 

      March 9, 2021 6:46 PM MST
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