Short Answer

Mathematical Expression for Earthquake Intensity Ratios

As a junior seismologist at a state geological agency, you are tasked with updating a report that compares historical seismic events. The magnitude (RR) of an earthquake is related to its intensity (II) by the formula R=logIR = \log I, which can be rewritten in exponential form as I=10RI = 10^R. When comparing the intensities of two earthquakes with magnitudes M1M_1 and M2M_2, what is the general mathematical expression (using base 10) that represents the ratio of their intensities in terms of M1M_1 and M2M_2?

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Updated 2026-05-26

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