The moment an earthquake occurred during a surgery in Russia
An earthquake occurred during surgery in Russia. The doctors and staff will receive an award from the Russian government for their bravery.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked Alaska on Saturday, Dec. 6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
According to the USGS, the earthquake occurred northeast of Yakutat, Alaska.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Yakutat’s total population in 2020 was approximately 657 people, and the number of housing units in 2023 was 332. Yakutat is more than 300 miles from Anchorage, where the quake was also felt, according to a USGS interactive map.
According to the NASA Earth Observatory, on average there are 18 major earthquakes with a magnitude between 7.0 and 7.9. And one large earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or higher occurs every year.
What does magnitude mean in an earthquake?
Magnitude is a unit that expresses the strength of an earthquake. Officially, it is called the moment magnitude scale. This is a logarithmic scale, meaning each number is 10 times stronger than the number before it. This means that a magnitude 5.0 earthquake is 10 times stronger than a magnitude 4.0 earthquake.
According to Michigan Technological University, the magnitude and impact of the earthquake are as follows:
- Less than 2.5: Usually not felt
- 2.5 to 5.4: Minor damage or no damage
- 5.5 to 6.0: Minor damage to building.
- 6.1 to 6.9: Severe damage
- 7.0-7.9: Major earthquake. Serious damage.
- 8.0 and above: Can cause significant damage and destroy communities
Contributor: Elizabeth Wise, USA TODAY
