The direction of the waves are measured at three or more points on the surface. You then draw lines in the direction those waves travel, and you usually get a point or small area called the epicenter, which is the point on the earth's crust where the quake originated underneath.
northridge
The amount of shaking produced by an earthquake at a given location is called the intensity. It is measured on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which quantifies the level of shaking experienced by people and structures during an earthquake.
Scientists use devices called Seismographs to determine the epicenter of an earthquake. If 3 or more seismographs detect an earthquake, seismic wave activity can be measured and quantified and then cross-referenced with other data (the primary and secondary seismic waves) to determine the earthquake's location.
The intensity of earthquakes is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which assesses the effects of an earthquake at a given location. The energy released during an earthquake is measured using the moment magnitude scale (Mw), which takes into account the seismic moment and rupture length of the earthquake.
The magnitude of an earthquake is measured with a seismograph and the readout is measured using the Richter scale - See Sources and related links for more information.
epicenter
The Haiti Earthquake measured about 7 on the Richter Scale.
The biggest earthquake measured 9.5 on the ritcher scale.
The size of an earthquake is measured on the Ricter scale it can also be measured on the Mercalli scale.For an example the 2008 earthquake in China was 7.8 on the Rictor scale and in was XI on the Mercalli scale
The difference in arrival time of the S and P-waves as measured at a seismometer station is used to estimate the distance to the epicentre of an earthquake. Data from at least three stations is required to triangulate the exact position. Information as also required about the density and elastic modulus of the rocks forming the crust to allow an accurate estimate of seismic wave velocity to be made. For more information on how seismologists locate the epicentre of an earthquake, please see the related question.
The power of an earthquake is measured using a seismometer to record the seismic waves produced by the earthquake. The magnitude of an earthquake is typically measured using the Richter scale or moment magnitude scale.
ricter scale