Superman's trait allows him to do penetrating damage when ever he uses an object. Does he use the object when using quake as well? I also want to know if he can throw an object at someone and do penetrating damage. If anyone can shed some light on the rules I'd be very grateful thanks.

Objects are not used in a Quake attack.

Yes, you can throw them and it will be penetrating Damage.

Thank you very much, you've been alot of help.

Quick clarification: you can't use objects when attacking more than one target. If you are Quake-ing multiple targets, then yes, you will not be using the object. If Superman is using Quake against a single figure while holding the object, then he must use that object. Normally, using an object during Quake is a pointless waste of an object, as the object is destroyed by it and the attacks damage is not related to the character's damage value (much), so the object won't add any damage to the Quake, but it would trigger Superman's text here.

In short, if Superman quakes against a single target while holding an object, the damage will be penetrating.

Was this a change that somehow slipped my mind - about the objects not being used up with quake? I recall a while back it was clarified that they were used in attacks using Quake, based on the wording of M&M Gorgon's Special Power: I know they don't and never have added damage when used with Quake, it was more along the lines that it is not a choice whether you use objects in close combat attacks or not, it's just something that happens. And since Quake gives you a close combat attack, you're forced to use the object (albeit to no effect).

Gorgon was a case of adding useless padding text just in case, because he was (one of) the first character to have Quake and SS at the same time. Objects were never used with Quake if it targets more than one character.

Not really useless, it prevents you from wasting an object when you Quake a single person (which you might well do to cause knock back).