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The Rickter (RICK-tur) scale has been popular for decades to measure the intensity of earthquakes, yet it had its issues. These days the Mercalli scale is most often used by geologists and vulcanologists.
Since 1867, the year Nebraska became a state, at least 7 earthquakes have originated within Nebraska's boundaries. The strongest of these occurred on November 15, 1877 with an intensity of at least VII based on the Modified Mercalli scale of earthquake intensity from I to XII. This scale replaced the Rossi-Forel scale in 1902, although some countries still use it. It has been modified multiple times throughout the century. The most recent earthquake in Nebraska occurred on October 15, 1972. Its magnitude was calculated as a 3.7 on the Richter Magnitude Scale (named after Charles F. Richter).
The scales have differing uses and so which scale is more useful depends on exactly what the scientist is interested in. The Richter scale is a magnitude scale. This is an estimate of the amount of energy released by an earthquake. The Mercalli scale is an intensity scale. This is an estimate of the perceived severity of ground shaking in differing areas caused by an earthquake. The Richter value is derived based on the amplitude of seismic waves measured on a seismometer and a single value is calculated for a given earthquake. This allows an earthquake to be compared to other earthquakes. The Mercalli intensity value is derived based on the damage caused to buildings and other structures and also based on the measured ground acceleration at a given location. This value can vary depending for a given earthquake on the local ground conditions, the distance from the earthquakes epicentre and the earthquake resistance of buildings. As such, the Richter value is most useful for comparing one earthquake with another, the Mercalli value is most useful for comparing the severity of ground shaking and damage caused by a single earthquake in different locations.
Technically, you can't tell damage from the Richter Scale, because the Richter Scale rating of an earthquake stays the same no mater how far out you go from the epicenter. The scale that measures the damage of an earthquake (meaning the scale rating gets lower the further you go from the epicenter) is called the Mercalli Scale. The Mercalli Scale goes from II to XII (2 to 12) and the rating on the Mercalli Scale in which damage starts to occur is about 6. However, if you are going by the Richter Scale, damage at the epicenter would start at about 5.0
Charles Richter made it so it can measure the size of an earthquake.
The Richter scale determines earthquake magnitude by measuring how much the ground moves, and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale determines earthquake intensity based on damage to buildings and effects on humans.
Richter scale, Modified Mercalli scale, Centigrade scale, and the Moment Magnitude scale
Mercalli and Richter scales
Richter scale is used to measure earthquakes magnitude Shake intensity is measured on the Mercalli scale
Earthquake magnitude is measured using a number of differing scales including the Richter scale, the moment magnitude scale and the surface magnitude scale. Intensity is measured using he Modified Mercalli intensity scale.
The Rickter (RICK-tur) scale has been popular for decades to measure the intensity of earthquakes, yet it had its issues. These days the Mercalli scale is most often used by geologists and vulcanologists.
Mercalli and Richter scales
Mercalli intensity is based off of observed damage to earth's structures. Richter magnitude uses calculations during the actual time of the earthquake.
No. The scale you are describing is an intensity scale such as the modified Mercalli scale. The Richter scale is in fact a magnitude scale which describes the amount of energy released by an earthquake.
No. The scale you are describing is an intensity scale such as the modified Mercalli scale. The Richter scale is in fact a magnitude scale which describes the amount of energy released by an earthquake.
different scales
No. The scale you are describing is an intensity scale such as the modified Mercalli scale. The Richter scale is in fact a magnitude scale which describes the amount of energy released by an earthquake.