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Why is the intensity value of an earthquake more meaningful than magnitude to a non scientist?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
The magnitude measures the total energy release. The intensity measures the... well, the instantaneous "shock" felt by an observer.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
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Which is more useful to scientists the Richter scale or Mercalli scale?
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.
Why do scientists prefer the moment magnitude scale to the richer scale?
ask a scientist, maybe he knows
How earthquake are located?
I'm pretty sure that an earthquake gives off a seismic wave and that seismic wave is then written on a seismograph that tells how strong it was and what kind of wave it was. with that knowledge a scientist can estimate how far away the earthquake was when it started and where it was
Use seismograph in a sentence?
Lilly, who is a scientist, used a seismograph to determine the strength of the earthquake that had just hit Haiti.
Can scientist predict earthquakes?
Earthquake prediction is currently not possible, as such, seismologists will attempt to quantify the risk posed by a particular fault zone rather than state exactly when an earthquake will occur. For more information, please see the related question.
Who is the American scientist who discover an indicate magnitude of an earthquake?
Mr. Magnitude false cabin
What equipnet do scientist use for earthquakes?
A Seismograph to record the magnitude of the earthquake.
How do people study tsunamis?
they are caused by earthquakes and the scientist measure the earthquake magnitude and the predict.
What is the name of the first earthquake ever recrded?
Scientists have not given earthquakes names as yet but the first recorded instance of someone using an earthquake intensity recording device was by a scientist by the name of Schiantarelli, who in 1783 recorded the intensity of an earthquake that happened in Calabrian, Italy.
How likely is a tectonic plate shift to cause an earthquake of significant magnitude?
Not that Often, According to scientist its about 30 years.
How does the type of scale mentioned above work?
The Ritcher Scale works by allowing scientist to measure the size and intensity of an earthquake.
Who was the scientist who invented the scale to measure earthquakes?
Earthquake intensity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Scale. The scale indicates the perceived damage from an earthquake. These parameters are subjective: they depend on the conditions of buildings and the opinions of witnesses. To make the scale more objective, the US Geological Survey also use measurements of ground accelerations to measure earthquake intensity. Earthquake magnitude is measured using the Richter magnitude scale and is widely reported as a measurement of earthquake strength (derived from the peak amplitude of the seismic wave from an earthquake as measured on a seismometer), but it has largely been replaced by the moment magnitude scale (derived based on the elastic moduli of the crust where the earthquake occurred, the length of the slip surface and the cross sectional area of the slip surface) which estimates the total energy released in an earthquake.
What measurement for earthquake do scientist use most often today?
The most commonly used measurement for earthquakes today is the moment magnitude scale (Mw). It measures the total energy released by an earthquake by analyzing the seismic waves it generates. This scale provides a more accurate assessment of earthquake magnitude compared to older scales like the Richter scale.
Why do scientist ask meaningful questions?
Scientists answer meaningful questions because its their job and they get paid alot of money do do it
What kind of scientist studies earthquake?
seismologist
Who is the Japanese scientist who did earthquake research?
seismologist
Who are the people who make meaningful contribution in making microscope?
the scientist and the doctor
