<p>The 'destructiveness' is a function of local geology and hydrogeology, type of earthquake, depth of earthquake, local population density, and whether the local builders paid attention to the appropriate building codes. So no, there isn't an equation for destructiveness. However, you can estimate the local intensity (at the surface) from the magnitude. The mathematical approach is given in the <a href="http://www.sosmath.com/algebra/logs/log5/log56/log56.html" rel="nofollow">APPLICATIONS OF EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS</a> for earthquakes.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T13:57:09.097Z
Thank you but do you know if there is a list of earthquakes details about its depth.
S.aad
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T09:23:09.817Z
2016-06-30T07:26:09.227Z
2016-06-30T07:26:09.227Z
Gordon Stanger
<p>I am trying to find out if there is a way to compute if an earthquake is destructive. I am looking for a threshold formula which depends on magnitude and depth</p>

<p>for example</p>

<pre><code>X = (some constant) * magnitude * depth
</code></pre>

<p>if <code>X &gt; (some constant)</code> the earth quake is destructive or secondary effects (landslides, fires, floods or tsunamis) are destructive.</p>

<p>This can help in finding out if there is a fixed pattern for the locations of earthquake.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-06-29T08:20:57.823Z
You are trying to reduce a multi-dimensional problem to a single-dimensional variable. This is rarely a good idea. There are too many other factors that come into play for this too be possible.
bon
<earthquakes>
Is there a formula to compute the destructiveness of an earthquake?
S.aad
# Is there a formula to compute the destructiveness of an earthquake?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-06-29)

I am trying to find out if there is a way to compute if an earthquake is destructive. I am looking for a threshold formula which depends on magnitude and depth

for example

```
X = (some constant) * magnitude * depth

```

if `X > (some constant)` the earth quake is destructive or secondary effects (landslides, fires, floods or tsunamis) are destructive.

This can help in finding out if there is a fixed pattern for the locations of earthquake.

**Tags:** earthquakes

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You are trying to reduce a multi-dimensional problem to a single-dimensional variable. This is rarely a good idea. There are too many other factors that come into play for this too be possible.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-06-29. Score: 1

The 'destructiveness' is a function of local geology and hydrogeology, type of earthquake, depth of earthquake, local population density, and whether the local builders paid attention to the appropriate building codes. So no, there isn't an equation for destructiveness. However, you can estimate the local intensity (at the surface) from the magnitude. The mathematical approach is given in the [APPLICATIONS OF EXPONENTIAL AND LOGARITHMIC FUNCTIONS](http://www.sosmath.com/algebra/logs/log5/log56/log56.html) for earthquakes.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you but do you know if there is a list of earthquakes details about its depth.  

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