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The moment magnitude scale is used by seismologists to measure the amount of energy released by large earthquakes (those greater than magnitude 8.0).

For smaller earthquakes (those with magnitudes less than 7.0 and with epicentres less than 650 km from a seismometer station may be used) the method devised by Richter (the Richter magnitude scale) may be used to estimate the magnitude. The surface wave magnitude scale may be used for earthquakes with magnitudes up to 8.0 (devised by Richter and Gutenberg to extend the utility of the Richter scale.)

Richter magnitudes are generally easier to derive than moment magnitudes being based on direct seismometer measurements, whereas the moment magnitude is a more4 fundamental measurement of magnitude being based on the rock mass strength around the fault, the amplitude of fault movement and the cross sectional area of that portion of the fault that moved. However this is more difficult to measure.

As such it is common for initial reports to be in Richter magnitudes and more detailed letter magnitudes to be reported as moment magnitudes.

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Wiki User

11y ago
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Wiki User

10y ago

There are two instruments, which are basically the same thing. There is the seismograph , and a more specific tool measures the waves on what is called the Richter scale. Earthquakes are given a number from one to ten, ten being the strongest. The strongest earthquake that their ever was, was measured a 9.3.
The Richter magnitude scale, the Surface wave magnitude scale and the moment magnitude scale are all used to estimate the amount of energy released by an earthquake.

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8y ago

The seismic moment is a measure of the total amount of energy that is released during an earthquake.

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bello

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2y ago
h

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badkittysassistantma...

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2y ago

Should be a Seismic trace and or Seismic waves.

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Paige Grant

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2y ago
how do you know that
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badkittysassistantma...

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2y ago
Well, In my free time I enjoy writing down notes for subjects I'm learning and or have learned.
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badkittysassistantma...

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2y ago
Actually now that I think about it the specific scale would be the Richter scale.

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Q: What scale is used to measure the energy released by an earthquake?
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Related questions

What does the moment magnitude scale measure?

the moment magnitude scale rates an earthquake by estimating the total energy released during an earthquake


What is the scale used to measure the amount of sesmic energy released by an earthquake called?

Richter scale.


What do values on the Richter scale express?

The Richter scale expresses the relative magnitude of an earthquake, which is a measure of the energy released at the focus of an earthquake.


What is an earthquake's magnitude a measure of?

An earthquake's magnitude is a measure of how strong it is


What is magnitude and how is it measured?

magnitudea measure of the amount of the energy released by earthquake . earthquake is measure through Ricthter scale that measure the magnitude of seismic waves that it has


What are the functions of a mercalli scale?

it is used to measure the damage caused by an earthquake as oppose to energy released in the Richter scale


What system do geologists use today for rating the magnitude of an earthquake?

They use the Richter scale to measure magnitude and Moment Measure to measure energy released.


What term means the measure of energy released by an earthquake?

The measure of energy released by an earthquake depends on its magnitude. If its a high magnitude earthquake, there is a lot of energy. If there is a low magnitude, then there is little energy.


What scales are used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?

The instrument that is used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake is a seismometer.


What is earthquake magnitude and how is it measured?

magnitudea measure of the amount of the energy released by earthquake . earthquake is measure through Ricthter scale that measure the magnitude of seismic waves that it has


How is an earthquake magnitude scale related to the amounts of energy released by earthquaiew?

The larger the magnitude of the earthquake, the larger the energy to be released by the earthquake.


What is a numerical scale used to measure the magnitude or energy release of an earthquake?

The rector scale.