[whiteperil] Sean: Earthquakes in Japan (Part Infinity)

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Posted by Sean:
Earthquakes in Japan (Part Infinity)
http://whiteperil.com/posts/1210185436.shtml


   [1]Earthquakes centered in Tochigi Prefecture a few hours ago:
   estimated 6.7 M on the modified Richter scale, and a weak 5 on the
   [2]JMA scale (which measures surface vibrations) in parts of Tochigi
   and Ibaraki. According to my buddy, they were perceptible in Tokyo. I
   haven't seen any reports of damage, but a weak 5, while not as bad as
   things could be, can cause real problems in craggy, cliffy rural areas
   with a lot of elderly people. There's an English translation of the
   JMA scale [3]here. A weak 5 isn't strong enough to knock down
   buildings that are up to code in areas that are prepared for
   earthquakes, but it's strong enough to be scary and make it difficult
   to move.

References

   1. http://www.nikkei.co.jp/news/main/20080507STXKD093207052008.html
   2. http://whiteperil.com/posts/1098484461.shtml
   3. http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Japan%20Meterological%20Agency%20seismic%20intensity%20scale