In order to calculate the difference of the two earthquakes, we use the formula below:
[tex]M_A-M_B=log\text{ }x[/tex]
where x is the difference in the intensity of the earthquakes in terms of Earthquake A and M are the magnitudes of each earthquake.
Ma = 3.0, Mb = 1.5
Let's plug these values into the formula above and solve.
[tex]3.0-1.5=log\text{ }x[/tex]
a. Subtract the two magnitudes. The new equation will be:
[tex]1.5=log\text{ }x[/tex]
b. Convert the logarithmic function into an exponential function.
[tex]10^{1.5}=x[/tex]
c. Apply the exponent to its base 10.
[tex]\begin{gathered} 31.6227=x \\ 32\approx x \end{gathered}[/tex]
Therefore, Earthquake A is 32 times stronger than Earthquake B.
