Short Wave Understanding Earthquake Aftershocks
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Feb 22, 2023 
Wendy Bohon, an expert earthquake geologist, sheds light on the complexities of aftershocks following devastating quakes. She explains the unpredictability of these seismic events and the challenges they pose to communities in recovery. Delving into concepts like Omori's Law and the impact of local geology, Wendy also discusses the shifting standards in earthquake measurement. Through fascinating analogies, she highlights the nuances of different magnitudes and emphasizes the importance of resilience and building integrity in earthquake-prone areas.
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Shallow vs. Deep Earthquakes
- Shallow earthquakes are more damaging to populated areas because they're closer to the surface.
- Deeper earthquakes are less likely to be felt because of the vertical distance.
Measuring Earthquakes
- The Richter scale is outdated; seismologists now use the moment magnitude scale.
- This scale considers factors like rock rigidity and fault slip, providing a more accurate measurement.
Aftershock Magnitude
- Aftershocks typically decrease in magnitude, following Bath's Law.
- However, there's a small chance a larger aftershock can occur, which would reclassify the initial quake as a foreshock.