Answer :
Final answer:
To calculate the energy released by the 1960 Chilean earthquake, substitute the magnitude of 8.5 into the equation logE = 11.8 + 1.5M to find logE = 24.55, which tells us the energy released is 10^24.55 ergs.
Explanation:
Calculating Earthquake Energy Release:
To find the amount of energy released by the 1960 Chilean earthquake that measured 8.5 on the Richter scale, we use the given equation logE = 11.8 + 1.5M, where M is the magnitude on the Richter scale. Substituting 8.5 for M, we get:
logE = 11.8 + 1.5(8.5)
logE = 11.8 + 12.75
logE = 24.55
To find the energy E in ergs, we must solve for E by using the property of logarithms:
E = 10^24.55
Therefore, the energy released by the 1960 Chilean earthquake is 10^24.55 ergs.
