Why was there more damage with a magnitude of 6.3 earthquake in New Zealand, than magnitude of 7?

Because there are 3 types of earthquakes: - vertical - horizontal - circular Vertical earthquakes don't affect much structures since they don't slice the columns or bases of these structures. Horizontal earthquakes, on the other hand, are much more destructive since they slice these columns which makes the structures hang on their own integrity, this is very dangerous and is much more destructive on tall buildings. The circular earthquakes are the most destructive, since they slice the columns and push the structures upwards and downwards in a sinusoidal motion. It creates a pounding effect on the structure and makes it crumble relatively easily. Considering that the Richter scale is an exponential calculation of these sinusoidal waves, your question has it's place, why did a 7 times smaller earthquake ignite such less damage? Well the answer is most probably the type of earthquake that hit, The 7.0 earthquake might most probably have been a vertical earthquake, and the one in Christchurch might have been a horizontal or circular earthquake, but most probably circular motioned, because 6.3 is relatively weak. Another reason is the integrity of the structures, most modern structures, in earthquake zones have vertical and horizontal suspensions to absorb the shocks (Tokyo has many), in towns that are less likely to be hit, engineers wont invest in such technologies since they are expensive. And in places like Port au Prince, the structures simply have no integrity and no quality, which explains why the city crumbled so easily. Other factors can be considered as well: - duration of the earthquake - location of the epicenter - surface - aftershocks

Richter scale is not directly connected with the real damages.Richter scale is only the amount of energy released from the point called focus.The fallowing factors will affect the damages. 1.The distance of damaged place from focus point, 2.The geographical condition, 3.The amplification factor, 4. The liquefaction factor, 5.Type of city and its populations, & many other known and unknown factors are involved in the amount of damages. But News land earthquake accured at a very lower depth of just five k/m.

the first one, was deeper than the 2nd one. The 2nd was only 5 km in depth. That and due to that fact that there have been so many quakes hitting the city the buildings have become weaker and less stable. plus the 2nd one hit in the day, which made it worse

It was centered near Christchurch and only about 5 km deep. It also happened during the day when buildings were occupied and many people moving about.

Because the buildings and and things are stronger. Answer mine? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Atc2d0CW5V2HTkhNJz3r36fsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20110224183423AAJlkio