The moment magnitude scale is more accurate for large earthquake than can cause damage.
There are a number of earthquake magnitude scales, including the moment magnitude scale (the scale currently favoured by seismologists), the Richter or local magnitude scale and the surface wave magnitude scale.
The most commonly referred to scale by the press and the public is the Richter scale for measuring earthquake magnitude. However this was actually replaced in the 1970s by the Moment Magnitude scale which is the magnitude scale favoured and in use by seismologists.
There are two The Richter Scale and the Moment Scale.
The Richter scale. For larger earthquakes (magnitude greater than 7) and for those with an epicentral distance greater than 700 km from the seismometer station, the Moment magnitude scale is used.
Magnitude of the 2011 Japan earthquake on moment magnitude scale is 9.0.The use of the Richter magnitude scale has largely been replaced by the moment magnitude scale in most countries. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), for example, uses the moment magnitude scale designated as MMS or Mw to measure all large earthquakes.UPDATE: Official magnitude was updated to 9.1 on Nov 7, 2016.
The Richter scale
There are a number of earthquake magnitude scales, including the moment magnitude scale (the scale currently favoured by seismologists), the Richter or local magnitude scale and the surface wave magnitude scale.
They use the Richter scale to measure magnitude and Moment Measure to measure energy released.
The most commonly referred to scale by the press and the public is the Richter scale for measuring earthquake magnitude. However this was actually replaced in the 1970s by the Moment Magnitude scale which is the magnitude scale favoured and in use by seismologists.
A magnitude scale. Formerly the Richter magnitude scale was used, but this has now been replaced by the Moment magnitude scale.
A magnitude scale. Formerly the Richter magnitude scale was used, but this has now been replaced by the Moment magnitude scale.
the Richter scale, Mercalli scale, and Moment Magnitude scale
The moment magnitude scale has replaced the Richter Scale.
well nothing. they are the same
The Moment Magnitude scale is more accurate overall.
magnitude of past earthquakes in the area
The strongest earthquake that can be measured using the Richter magnitude scale is one with a magnitude of 8.0. For earthquakes larger than this, the moment magnitude scale must be used.