Compared with the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, the 1964 Alaska earthquake was less powerful.

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Multiple Choice

Compared with the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, the 1964 Alaska earthquake was less powerful.

Explanation:
The key idea is comparing how much energy earthquakes release, which is reflected in their magnitude on the moment magnitude scale. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile is recorded at about magnitude 9.5, making it one of the largest quakes ever measured. The 1964 Alaska earthquake is about magnitude 9.2. Since the magnitude scale is logarithmic, a difference of 0.3 in magnitude corresponds to roughly a factor of 2–3 in energy released. So the Valdivia event released more energy and was stronger overall. The Alaska quake was indeed extremely powerful, but not as powerful as the Valdivia quake.

The key idea is comparing how much energy earthquakes release, which is reflected in their magnitude on the moment magnitude scale. The 1960 Valdivia earthquake in Chile is recorded at about magnitude 9.5, making it one of the largest quakes ever measured. The 1964 Alaska earthquake is about magnitude 9.2. Since the magnitude scale is logarithmic, a difference of 0.3 in magnitude corresponds to roughly a factor of 2–3 in energy released. So the Valdivia event released more energy and was stronger overall. The Alaska quake was indeed extremely powerful, but not as powerful as the Valdivia quake.

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