What is the difference in amplitude between a magnitude 6 and a magnitude 8 earthquake, as defined by Richter on a Wood-Anderson seismograph?

To understand the difference in amplitude between a magnitude 6 and a magnitude 8 earthquake on the Richter scale, it's essential to recognize how the scale is structured. The Richter scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measurement amplitude.

In this case, a magnitude 6 earthquake has a significantly smaller amplitude than a magnitude 8 earthquake. Specifically, when the difference between magnitude 6 and magnitude 8 is calculated, it involves two whole number increases (from 6 to 7, and from 7 to 8). For each increment of one whole number, the amplitude increases by a factor of ten:

1. From magnitude 6 to 7: the amplitude increases by a factor of 10.

2. From magnitude 7 to 8: the amplitude increases by another factor of 10.

When you multiply these factors together (10 x 10), it results in a 100-fold increase in amplitude. Consequently, this quantifies the seismic wave amplitude difference between a magnitude 6 and a magnitude 8 earthquake on the Richter scale as 100. Hence, this makes the answer correct.