Renato Lacerda

Professor Harrison
Physics 1010
20th Nov 2016

A bit of Physics in an Earthquake

There are many laws of physics during an earthquake, though I would
say that The Great Chilean Earthquake also known as "Terremoto De
Valdivia" stands out because in May 22th of 1960 the most powerful earth
trembling was recorded. At a magnitude of 9.4 to 9.6 on the moment
magnitude scale, the quake last about 10 minutes costing $3.2 to 6.4 billion
(today adjusted inflation). It also creating tsunamis that affected Japan and
Australia and killing about 6000 people. In this paper well acknowledge how
the laws of physics are apply to earthquakes, and how we could use this
knowledge to our benefit to lessen our loss.
An earthquake happens when the dynamics of continental lithosphere
motion ductile the motion of titanic plates move slowly folding the
sedimentary layers near the surface causing the ground to shake. Applied
earthquake science seeks to predict this motions, detecting seismic hazards
and forecasting this phenomenons. Although seismologist have been
studying earthquakes in different areas, is difficult to predict the exact time
the event will happen. So be aware of seismic hazards around the area that
you live in.

Tectonic plates are moving slowly, the edges of this plates are called
plate boundaries, which are made up of many faults where most of
earthquakes occur. During an earthquake at the hypocenter (underneath the
crust) two or more blocks split or overlap in the fault plane causing a main
shock. The shock causes waves that shakes the ground. Then the foundation
of the building moves first but the floor, walls, and roof tend to stay at rest,
however they because they are made with material not build to absorb
abrupt motion so they shift, remember any object at rest will experience
motion. Newton first law of inertia, an object in rest will remain at rest, and
an object in motion in remain at motion. Similar to the tendency of person in
a car when an acceleration happens, the person might experience a force
pushing them backwards or pulling them foreword. Usually, the larger the
building, the larger it's mass, lighter building are able to sustain an
earthquake better than heavier buildings. That supports Newtons second
law of motion; inertia force is Mass times acceleration F=Ma. Knowing this
we could prevent some of the catastrophic effects of an earthquake by
Building lighter building that could observe inertia, especially in location that
we know plate boundaries are located.
Newtons 3rd third law is also involved on earthquakes, for every action
there is always an equal in magnitude, opposite in direction reaction force.
The action of tectonic plates moving causes the reaction of vibration on the
ground. If we could build buildings that could absorb the shock cause by the
vibration especially where earthquakes are common it wouldnt be a bad

idea to build at least a foundation that could absorb vibration to equal

magnitude.
The Valdivia earthquake was measure at 9.4-9.6 on the moment magnitude
scale, so the structure of the building would be tested under this vibrations.
Newtons 3rd of motion compliments the first law of thermodynamics,
conservation of energy of an isolated system is constant. Energy cannot be
created or destroyed, energy moving the tectonics plates, moves the earths
crust, then vibrated the ground, for every action there is an equal opposite
reaction.
The momentum of an earthquake is a very complex non-linear
phenomena. Momentum is represent by P and it is equals mass time velocity,
though a nonlinear dynamical system of earthquake is multifaceted. Think of
block of a uniform chain of blocks and springs between earth and a sea of
mantle. This is where it gets complicated, there are more than few general
equations of magneto hydrodynamics equation including equations of
momentum conservation, Newtonian fluid frictional force, nonlinear partial
differential equations of velocity are only the beginning. One of the most
challenging concepts to understand the momentum of an earthquake is that
if the rotation of the earth in caused in magneto hydrodynamics then there
are too many variables to predict its momentum. According to the model be
Carlson-Langer on the magnitude-period formula masses of block are usually

different and velocity maybe changed due to its magnitude which it is define
to be the natural logarithm of the earthquake, moment H.
M= k (ln) H.
Energy of an earthquake is release in different forms, there is seismic
waves that causes the ground to shake, heat form the friction of slip surfaces
or tectonic plates, and, potential energy when the earthquake lift something
up from the ground. This is bring as back to the natural logarithm because it
is how the energy of an earthquake is released, where energy is E= 5.01 x10
to the 16th power in joules. On the Richter scale. Log E. Because this energy
is released in natural growth amplifying one magnitude would result in an
energy release of 31.623 times as strong.
In conclusion we can and should use physics to help us understand
more about natural disasters, so we could predict and create ways to
minimize the catastrophic effect they have on us. Through the accumulative
knowledge of science we could build earthquake prove buildings that could
absorb the motions of earths moving crusts, at the same time try to predict
at our best so we can prepare for when the next one arrives. Understanding
its magnitude give us a head up for what we will be dealing with that way we
could keep hoping for the best, and ready to counter the worst.

Wok Cited
Kanamori, Hiroo. The Physics of earthquake. Report progress physics.
2004. http://www.es.ucsc.edu.

Living on an Active Earth. Nap Open Book.2003 Earthquake Physics

and Fault-System
https://www.nap.edu/read/10493/chapter/
Failko, Yuri. Earthquake physic. Research Reports. 9 may 2005.
http://sioviz.ucsd.edu/~fialko/research2.html