Module 2—Distance from epicenter; effect on ground shaking

1min 8s Novice Spanish

Remember the lightbulb? The closer you are to the light, the more bright and intense it is. The same principle applies to earthquakes. The closer you are to the earthquake, the more intense it will feel.
 
Here we explore the M6.0 2016 Napa earthquake. People felt shaking throughout Northern California. People felt the strongest intensity shaking closest to the epicenter. The intensity of shaking becomes more gentle with distance.

Keypoints:

Learners will be able to:
 
  • Understand that distance away from an earthquake impacts its intensity of shaking.
  • Describe how distance impacts shaking intensity.
  • Relate that people feel more intense shaking closer to an earthquake compared to those located farther away.

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