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Logarithmic scale is the other measurement which is what you use when talking about how much a measurement of an earthquake goes up by.
There are also but here is just a few.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe Richter scale is actually a magnitude scale. It measures how much energy was released by an earthquake rather than the damage it does. The Modified Mercalli scale is commonly used in the US to measure damag caused by an earthquake (more correctly described as earthquake intensity). In Europe the Macroseismic scale is used to measure earthquake intensity.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoSeismologists used the Moment Magnitude Scale to rate the energy released by the earthquakes in Haiti. This has replaced the now outdated Richter or Local Magnitude Scale (still commonly used in the media).
The earthquake severity (the amount of shaking perceived by people and the measured ground accelerations) is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.
The earthquake had a moment magnitude of 7.0 and a mercalli intensity of Extreme (Level X).
Please see the related questions for more information.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIt depends on what you are trying to measure! The Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude of small and moderate earthquakes. Magnitude is a measure of the amount of energy released where the earthquake occurs.
The Mercalli scale on the other hand is used to measure the intensity of an earthquake. This describes the amount of measured and perceived ground shaking that occurs in a specific location as well as the degree of damage caused.
So if your interested in the amount of damage in a specific area and the severity of the shaking, then the Mercalli scale is the better scale. If you are interested in the amount of energy released by an earthquake then the Richter magnitude scale would be best!
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The scale that measures the strength of an earthquake based on seismic waves and movement along a fault?
The Moment magnitude scale (used for earthquakes larger than magnitude 7) and Richter scales can both be used to measure earthquake magnitude (the energy released) although seismologists now predominately use the moment magnitude scale.Earthquake intensity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Scale or the European Macroseismic Intensity Scale (essentially a tweaked version of the Moddified Mercalli Scale).The Moment Magnitude Scale is used by seismologists to rate the energy released by earthquakes, replacing the now outdated Richter or Local Magnitude Scale (still commonly used in the media).Earthquake severity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.Please see the related question.
What scale measures earthqukes?
The moment magnitude scale, the Richter scale (which can only be used for low and moderate magnitude earthquakes less than 6.9) and the modified mercalli intensity scale are used to measure earthquakes.
The scale most widely used by scientists for measuring earthquakes is the?
This depends on what they are trying to measure. If they are interested in the amount of energy an earthquake produces (magnitude), then they will make an initial measurement using the Richter magnitude scale. If it is a large earthquake (greater than 8.0) they will use the moment magnitude scale. If they are interested in the damage caused by an earthquake and the level of ground shaking in a specific area they will use an intensity scale. The most commonly used intensity scales are the Modified Mercalli scale, the European Macroseismic scale, the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale, in India, Israel, Russia and throughout the CIS they use the MSK-64 scale and in China, the China Seismic Intensity Scale. These are all conceptually similar to the Modified Mercalli scale.
What is the definition for magnitude scale?
A magnitude scale is simply a metric for quantifying the energy released in an earthquake and the amplitude of the waves the earthquake emits. The most well-known magnitude scale in America is the Richter scale, which is equated in base 10 (that is, an earthquake that scores 5.0 on the Richter scale will have an Amplitude ten times greater than that of an earthquake that scores a 4.0 on the Richter scale).
Where can you find pictures of a Richter scale?
The Richter scale is a concept rather than an object! However a diagrammatic representation of the equations used to derive the Richter magnitude is given on the US Geological surveys website in the form of a nomogram that allows the user to find a solution by eye. Please see the related link.
Why do insurance companies use the Mercalli scale instead of the Richter scale?
Because the Mercalli Scale measures the amount of damage an earthquake does, rather than how powerful it is. That way, they know how much money they are accountable for.
What are the other methods of mesuring earthquakes rather than the Richter scale?
Mercalli (which measures how many buildings are knocked down by the earthquake)
What does the mercili scale measures?
The Mercalli scale is a way of measuring the intensity of damage of an earthquake. It is based upon set criteria. This scale might be used rather than the Richter Scal because the mercalli scale is based upon the observed damages, not set scientific data.
Describe two different ways to measure the size of an earthquake?
The Mercalli scale, which measures the visible effects; and the Richter scale, which measures the energy given off by the earthquake, are the two most common ways of measuring the size of an earthquake.
The scale that measures the strength of an earthquake based on seismic waves and movement along a fault?
The Moment magnitude scale (used for earthquakes larger than magnitude 7) and Richter scales can both be used to measure earthquake magnitude (the energy released) although seismologists now predominately use the moment magnitude scale.Earthquake intensity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Scale or the European Macroseismic Intensity Scale (essentially a tweaked version of the Moddified Mercalli Scale).The Moment Magnitude Scale is used by seismologists to rate the energy released by earthquakes, replacing the now outdated Richter or Local Magnitude Scale (still commonly used in the media).Earthquake severity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.Please see the related question.
What scale is the instrument that is used to record primary secondary and surface waves of an earthquake?
The Richter Magnitude Scale. The magnitude is a base-10 logarithmic scale obtained by calculating the logarithm of the amplitude of waves measured by a seismograph. An earthquake that measures 5.0 on the Richter scale has a shaking amplitude 10 times larger and corresponds to an energy release of approximately 31.6 times greater than one that measures 4.0 The same applies comparing a 4.0 to a 3.0, a 6.0 to a 5.0, and so on.
What scale measures earthqukes?
The moment magnitude scale, the Richter scale (which can only be used for low and moderate magnitude earthquakes less than 6.9) and the modified mercalli intensity scale are used to measure earthquakes.
An earthquake will be given one number on the Richter scale but more than one on the mercalli scale why is this?
The Richter scale measures the strength of an earthquake, this is always the same value, no matter where you are. The Mercalli intensity scale measures the effect of the earthquake on people and structures, and the intensity value will differ depending on how far you are from the epicenter. For instance, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake may be damaging (intensity VII) around the epicenter, but 300 miles away it may be barely felt (intensity II).
What numerical scale expresses the magnitude of earthquakes?
The Richter Magnitude Scale often shortened to Richter scale represents a number to quantify the energy released during an earthquake on a logarithmic scale.Earthquakes with magnitude less than 2.0 are generally not felt by people but only registered by sensitive machines.Earthquakes at the 9.0 and greater range cause severe damage or collapse to all buildings in the area.
What is a ritcher scale used for?
The Richter Scale is the Longarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake. The scale jumps in intervals of 10X each integer increase... i.e:2 on the scale is 10X greater than 13 on the scale is 100X greater than 1, and 10X greater than 2I think the general formula is 10n-1 'n' being the number on the Richter scale, the value of the formula being the value of the number relative to 1 on the Richter scale. Using the formula, you would get 5 to be 104 meaning 10,000 times greater than 1.The Richter scale is a quantitative scale, which measures according to recorded values as opposed to the Mercalli Scale which measures according to what you can see the earthquake has done (i.e. in terms of damage done).
Why is it easier to assign mercalli intensity to historic earthquakes than it is to give them a Richter-type magnitude?
Mercalli intensity is based off of observed damage to earth's structures. Richter magnitude uses calculations during the actual time of the earthquake.
What scale are earthquakes measured on?
Earthquakes are measured on what is called a Richter Scale. The Richter Scale goes from 0 - 9. However, if England had an earyhquake, and it measured 1 on the Richter Scale, it would have a 'power level' of 10. But if Japan had an earthquake and it measured 3 on the Richter Scale, then it would have a 'power level' of 100, as each time you go a 'power level' up, then you times it by 10. The Richter Scale is measured by a computer which has a pin (that has been dipped in ink) and when an earthquake strikes, the pin goes onto the paper and it makes a zig-zag shape of how high or low the earthquake has gone, during the time it happened. An alternative way of measuring earthquakes is by using the Mercalli Scale. The Mercalli Scale is measured by scientists and i goes from 1 - 12. If you were to talk about an earthquake, and how disasterous it was, then if you were refering to the Richter Scale, you would say 'It measured 2', but, if you were refering to the Mercalli Scale, then you would say that 'it was WEAK, meaning that it was felt only by a few people, especiall on the upper floors of buildings. Many do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibration similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.' I hope this helped and if you have any more questons relating to the RESTLESS EARTH topic (geographical) then I am more than happy to help.
