Earthquake

Intensity and
Magnitude
Module 3
 Objectives
In this module, you will learn to differentiate the: (1) epicenter of
an
earthquake from its focus; (2) intensity of an earthquake from
its magnitude; (3) active and inactive faults.

Specifically, you will learn to:

✓ Differentiate intensity of an earthquake from its magnitude.
 Pre-test

1. Intensity is to Damage while Magnitude is to

_________________

a. Wave
b. Amplitude
c. Energy
d. Force
 Pre-test

1. Intensity is to Damage while Magnitude is to

_________________

a. Wave
b. Amplitude
c. Energy
d. Force
 Pre-test

2. Which of the following measures of an earthquake will

decrease when
observed farther from the epicenter?

a. Intensity
b. Magnitude
c. Depth of the focus
d. Location of the epicenter
 Pre-test

2. Which of the following measures of an earthquake will

decrease when
observed farther from the epicenter?

a. Intensity
b. Magnitude
c. Depth of the focus
d. Location of the epicenter
 Pre-test

3. What happen to the magnitude and intensity as measured

farther from the epicenter?

a. Magnitude increases while intensity decreases

b. Magnitude decreases while intensity increases
c. Magnitude increases while intensity remains constant
d. Magnitude remains constant while intensity decreases
 Pre-test

3. What happen to the magnitude and intensity as measured

farther from the epicenter?

a. Magnitude increases while intensity decreases

b. Magnitude decreases while intensity increases
c. Magnitude increases while intensity remains constant
d. Magnitude remains constant while intensity decreases
 Pre-test
4. Is intensity 2 and magnitude 2 of an earthquake the same?
Why?

a. No, because intensity is a measure of an earthquake in terms

of
energy while magnitude is a measure of the damaged caused by
an
earthquake.

b. No, because intensity is a measure of the severity of damaged

caused
by an earthquake while magnitude is a measure of energy
released.

c. Yes, because both intensity 2 and magnitude 2 are considered

weak
 Pre-test
4. Is intensity 2 and magnitude 2 of an earthquake the same?
Why?

a. No, because intensity is a measure of an earthquake in terms

of
energy while magnitude is a measure of the damaged caused by
an
earthquake.

b. No, because intensity is a measure of the severity of damaged

caused
by an earthquake while magnitude is a measure of energy
released.

c. Yes, because both intensity 2 and magnitude 2 are considered

weak
 Pre-test
5. Which of the following statements are TRUE?

I. Magnitude is a measure of seismic energy while intensity is a

measure of damage.

II. Magnitude decreases with increasing distance while intensity

remain constant.

III. Magnitude can be measured by an instrument while intensity

is by observation.

a. I and II only b. II and III only c. I and III only d. I, II

and III
 Pre-test
5. Which of the following statements are TRUE?

I. Magnitude is a measure of seismic energy while intensity is a

measure of damage.

II. Magnitude decreases with increasing distance while intensity

remain constant.

III. Magnitude can be measured by an instrument while intensity

is by observation.

a. I and II only b. II and III only c. I and III only d. I, II

and III
Activi
ty
Write your answer in your
notebook
 To have an idea about
magnitude and intensity
of an earthquake, kindly
read carefully and
analyze the news article
below and answer the
questions
Answer the following:
1. How strong was the earthquake?
__________________________________________________
2. What is the magnitude of an earthquake that was felt in different
areas of Mindanao?
__________________________________________________
3. What are the intensities of an earthquake that were felt in different
areas of Mindanao?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
4. What are the two scales used in the news article to describe the
earthquake that occur in Mindanao?
__________________________________________________
5. What do you think is the difference between magnitude and intensity?
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Answer the following:
1. How strong was the earthquake?
Answer: Magnitude 5.2
2. What is the magnitude of an earthquake that was felt in different
areas of Mindanao?
Answer: Magnitude 5.2

3. What are the intensities of an earthquake that were felt in different

areas of Mindanao?
Answer: (Balasan and Magsaysay – Intensity scale 5) , (Kidapawan, Tupi and
Malungon – Intensity scale IV), (Alabel and Gen. Santos – Intensity scale II), (Kiamba –
Intensity scale I)

4. What are the two scales used in the news article to describe the
earthquake that occur in Mindanao?
Answer: Intensity and Magnitude

5. What do you think is the difference between magnitude and intensity?

Answer: Magnitude is constant in all places while intensity varies from places to
places.
 Activity 1
Quick Quake…..
Objectives:
After performing this activity, you should be able to:
1. determine the intensity of an earthquake in a certain area using the earthquake
intensity map and PHIVOLCS PEIS.
2. differentiate magnitude and intensity.
Materials:
Paper and pen
Earthquake intensity map
Procedure:
1. Study the earthquake intensity map carefully and complete the table 1.
2. Follow the legend below to understand the map.
Legend: - intensity
- epicenter
- seismic wave
2. To determine the intensity of an earthquake in a given place, look at the color codes from
the map and the its corresponding color code level at the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale
(PEIS).
3. To determine the measured magnitude of an earthquake in a certain area, find the
magnitude of an earthquake at the source or focus.
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Which place is nearest to the epicenter? What is the measured
magnitude of the earthquake in that place?
____________________________________________________________
2. Which place is farthest from the epicenter? What is the measured
magnitude of the earthquake in that place?
____________________________________________________________
3. What happens to the magnitude of the earthquake as the wave mov
away from the epicenter?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
4. In which place does the highest intensity scale was observed?
____________________________________________________________
5. In which place does the lowest intensity scale was observed?
____________________________________________________________
6. Can you see an increasing or decreasing trend in the intensity data?
Is the intensity affected by the distance from the epicenter? Explain.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
7. Based from the data above, what is the difference between magnitude
and
intensity of an earthquake?
____________________________________________________________
ANSWERS:
 ANSWERS:

GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. Which place is nearest to the epicenter? What is the measured magnitude of the
earthquake in that place?
Answers: Malita, magnitude 6.8

2. Which place is farthest from the epicenter? What is the measured magnitude of the
earthquake in that place?
Answers: Butuan, magnitude 6.8

3. What happens to the magnitude of the earthquake as the wave mov away from the
epicenter?
Answers: Magnitude remains the same.
 ANSWERS:
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
4. In which place does the highest intensity scale was observed?
Answers: Malita with Intensity scale IX

5. In which place does the lowest intensity scale was observed?

Answer: Butuan with intensity scale III

6. Can you see an increasing or decreasing trend in the intensity data? Is the
intensity affected by the distance from the epicenter? Explain.
Answer: Decreasing Trend, Yes the farther the place from the epicenter the
lesser the intensity scale.

7. Based from the data above, what is the difference between magnitude and
intensity of an earthquake?
Answer: Magnitude remains constant wherever it is being measured while
intensity varies based on the distance from the epicenter. Nearer places have higher
intensity while farther places from the epicenter experience lower intensity of an
earthquake.
 The magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of seismic energy
produced at the source of vibration or focus. The numerical value of the
agnitude which is expressed in Hindu Arabic numerals remains constant to that
he focus regardless of the distance from the source to which it is being measured
It
means that an earthquake will only have one measured magnitude. Magnitude ca
be only determined with the use of an instrument called seismometer and
interpreted
following the Richter scale.
 On the other hand, intensity is the measure of the severity of damaged
caused by an earthquake. Basically, it is affected by the distance from the
epicenter,
areas near the epicenter suffer from greater damage than areas farther from the
picenter. The intensity level of an earthquake is measured through observations
a particular locality and is interpreted and expressed using the Mercalli Scale
which
was adapted in the Phivolcs Earthquake Intensity Scale.
 In your activity, it is evident that as the distance from the epicenter becomes
greater the intensity decreases while the magnitude remains the same. However
as
ou have noticed on the intensity map Digos which is nearer to the epicenter tha
Malita recorded lesser intensity than Malita. This is for reasons that, intensity is
affected by other factors like population density, geology of the area and types o
building constructions.
Activity 2

Direction:
Study the map
and answer the
following
questions
 Questions

1. What is the magnitude and intensity at the epicenter?

___________________________________________
2. What is the magnitude and intensity in Caibaan?
___________________________________________
3. How will you differentiate the magnitude and intensity of the
earthquake felt
at Caibaan and Carigara?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
 Answer

1. What is the magnitude and intensity at the epicenter?

2. Answer: Magnitude 5.4, Intensity V.

2. What is the magnitude and intensity in Caibaan?

3. Answer: Magnitude 5.4, Intensity II

3. How will you differentiate the magnitude and intensity of the

earthquake felt at Caibaan and Carigara?
Answer: The magnitude in both places are equal to
magnitude 5.4 However, the intensity felt in Carigara is V which is
greater than the intensity in Caibaan which is only within the scale
of II
 Vocabulary List
You may refer to the following vocabulary words used in this module:

Epicenter – refers to the area above the focus

Focus – Refers to the region where the earthquake is generated
Geology – refers to the physical structure and substances of the earth
Intensity – refers to the severity of damaged caused by an erathquake
Magnitude- refers to the amount of seismic energy released in an earthquake.
Seismic energy – refers to the energy released during an earthquake which is carried
by the seismic wave.
 Post Test
1. Intensity is to Damage while Magnitude is to _________________

a. Wave
b. Amplitude
c. Energy
d. Force
 Post Test
1. Intensity is to Damage while Magnitude is to _________________

a. Wave
b. Amplitude
c. Energy
d. Force
 Post Test
2. Which of the following measures of an earthquake will decrease
when
observed farther from the epicenter?

a. Intensity
b. Magnitude
c. Depth of the focus
d. Location of the epicenter
 Post Test
2. Which of the following measures of an earthquake will decrease
when
observed farther from the epicenter?

a. Intensity
b. Magnitude
c. Depth of the focus
d. Location of the epicenter
 Post Test
3. What happens to the magnitude and intensity as measured
farther from the epicenter?

a. Magnitude increases while intensity decreases

b. Magnitude decreases while intensity increases
c. Magnitude increases while intensity remains constant
d. Magnitude remains constant while intensity decreases
 Post Test
3. What happens to the magnitude and intensity as measured
farther from the epicenter?

a. Magnitude increases while intensity decreases

b. Magnitude decreases while intensity increases
c. Magnitude increases while intensity remains constant
d. Magnitude remains constant while intensity decreases
 Post Test
4. Is intensity 2 and magnitude 2 of an earthquake the same?
Why?

a. No, because intensity is a measure of an earthquake in terms of

energy while magnitude is a measure of the damaged caused by
an
earthquake.
b. No, because intensity is a measure of the severity of damaged
caused
by an earthquake while magnitude is a measure of energy
released.
c. Yes, because both intensity 2 and magnitude 2 are considered
weak
vibration of the ground and can hardly felt by people.
 Post Test
4. Is intensity 2 and magnitude 2 of an earthquake the same?
Why?

a. No, because intensity is a measure of an earthquake in terms of

energy while magnitude is a measure of the damaged caused by
an
earthquake.
b. No, because intensity is a measure of the severity of damaged
caused
by an earthquake while magnitude is a measure of energy
released.
c. Yes, because both intensity 2 and magnitude 2 are considered
weak
vibration of the ground and can hardly felt by people.
 Post Test
5. Which of the following statements are TRUE?

I. Magnitude is a measure of seismic energy while intensity is a

measure of damage.
II. Magnitude decreases with increasing distance while intensity
remain constant.
III. Magnitude can be measured by an instrument while intensity
is by observation.

a. I and II only b. II and III only c. I and III only d. I, II and

III
 Post Test
5. Which of the following statements are TRUE?

I. Magnitude is a measure of seismic energy while intensity is a

measure of damage.
II. Magnitude decreases with increasing distance while intensity
remain constant.
III. Magnitude can be measured by an instrument while intensity
is by observation.

a. I and II only b. II and III only c. I and III only d. I, II and

III