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Mercalli (which measures how many buildings are knocked down by the earthquake)

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Q: What are the other methods of mesuring earthquakes rather than the Richter scale?
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Scale used to measure earthquakes?

The oldest scale of measurement for earthquakes were in fact intensity rather than magnitude scales with the first being The Mercalli intensity scale. Intensity scales describe the earthquake in terms of the damage caused. Later, improved versions of this form of measurement were published in 1931 as the Mercalli-Wood-Neumann scale.The first widely accepted magnitude scale (magnitude being a description of the energy released by an earthquake) was developed by Charles Richter in 1935. This was known as the Richter magnitude scale (also known as the Local Magnitude Scale), which categorises them in absolute terms based on calculating the logarithm of their amplitude and the distance of the seismometer station from the epicentre. The Richter scale was designed to measure the magnitude of moderate and small earthquakes. The scale has no theoretical upper or lower bounds, however in practical terms the lower bound is defined by the minimum sensitivity of seismometers and their ability to detect small earthquakes and the upper limit (effectively around a magnitude of 7.0) is due to the fact that earthquakes larger than this due to the wavelength of seismic waves produced by large earthquakes.In order to attempt to overcome this, Charles Richter along with his colleague Beno Gutenberg developed the surface and body wave magnitude scales. These produce results that are consistent with the original magnitude scale and extend it's utility up to earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0For earthquakes larger than magnitude 7-8 a new scale was required and this was developed in the 1970s and is known as the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS) which measures the earthquakes magnitude based on the length of the fault that slips, the amplitude of the fault movement and the elastic moduli of the rockmass around the fault zone.The modern scale retains the familiar logarithmic continuum of values with the original Richter (local) magnitude scale.


Is an earthquake considered weather?

No. Earthquakes are considered to be seismic activity. This is a branch of geophysics rather than meteorology.


When referring to earthquakes what is the difference between the Magnitude scale and the Richter scale?

The Richter Scale is a Magnitude scale - it is used to calculate the magnitude of small and medium sized earthquakes (those with a magnitude less than 7). The other scales most commonly used for recording Earthquakes are the Moment Magnitude Scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.The Intensity scale of the Earthquake measures the effect of the earthquake at a particular location. In general it is highest at the epicenter and gets lower as you go further. The value of intensity changes from place to place.The Moment Magnitude scale measures the actual amount of energy released during the Earthquake and is derived based on the rigidity / stiffness of the crust, the length of fault that slipped and it's cross sectional area.An Earthquake has only one value of magnitude, and it does not change from place to place. The scale is logarithmic.However the now outmoded Richter Scale used a different method of deriving the energy release based on the maximum amplitude of the seismic waves detected on seismometers. As such it was a measurement of the local magnitude (i.e. local to the seismometer) rather than the absolute magnitude of the earthquake.


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.


Why did Poseidon use to cause rough sea and earthquakes?

He was rather an angry god. If something upset him or if he was angry at something or someone, he would usually strike his trident on the ground to cause those feats.

Related questions

Scale used to measure earthquakes?

The oldest scale of measurement for earthquakes were in fact intensity rather than magnitude scales with the first being The Mercalli intensity scale. Intensity scales describe the earthquake in terms of the damage caused. Later, improved versions of this form of measurement were published in 1931 as the Mercalli-Wood-Neumann scale.The first widely accepted magnitude scale (magnitude being a description of the energy released by an earthquake) was developed by Charles Richter in 1935. This was known as the Richter magnitude scale (also known as the Local Magnitude Scale), which categorises them in absolute terms based on calculating the logarithm of their amplitude and the distance of the seismometer station from the epicentre. The Richter scale was designed to measure the magnitude of moderate and small earthquakes. The scale has no theoretical upper or lower bounds, however in practical terms the lower bound is defined by the minimum sensitivity of seismometers and their ability to detect small earthquakes and the upper limit (effectively around a magnitude of 7.0) is due to the fact that earthquakes larger than this due to the wavelength of seismic waves produced by large earthquakes.In order to attempt to overcome this, Charles Richter along with his colleague Beno Gutenberg developed the surface and body wave magnitude scales. These produce results that are consistent with the original magnitude scale and extend it's utility up to earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0For earthquakes larger than magnitude 7-8 a new scale was required and this was developed in the 1970s and is known as the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS) which measures the earthquakes magnitude based on the length of the fault that slips, the amplitude of the fault movement and the elastic moduli of the rockmass around the fault zone.The modern scale retains the familiar logarithmic continuum of values with the original Richter (local) magnitude 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.


In what way does the magnitude of an earthquake relate to its estimated effects?

The Richter scale is related to the effects of an earthquake rather than the energy released.


How to Use the word unorthodox in a sentenance?

Her methods were rather unorthodox.


Is an earthquake considered weather?

No. Earthquakes are considered to be seismic activity. This is a branch of geophysics rather than meteorology.


When referring to earthquakes what is the difference between the Magnitude scale and the Richter scale?

The Richter Scale is a Magnitude scale - it is used to calculate the magnitude of small and medium sized earthquakes (those with a magnitude less than 7). The other scales most commonly used for recording Earthquakes are the Moment Magnitude Scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.The Intensity scale of the Earthquake measures the effect of the earthquake at a particular location. In general it is highest at the epicenter and gets lower as you go further. The value of intensity changes from place to place.The Moment Magnitude scale measures the actual amount of energy released during the Earthquake and is derived based on the rigidity / stiffness of the crust, the length of fault that slipped and it's cross sectional area.An Earthquake has only one value of magnitude, and it does not change from place to place. The scale is logarithmic.However the now outmoded Richter Scale used a different method of deriving the energy release based on the maximum amplitude of the seismic waves detected on seismometers. As such it was a measurement of the local magnitude (i.e. local to the seismometer) rather than the absolute magnitude of the earthquake.


What is the difference between Intensity 1 and Intensity 2 when referring to the magnitude of an earthquake?

The Richter scale is a 10-point system used to classify the intensity of seismic activity (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, even nuclear detonations), and is very similar to the Decibel system used to quantify the intensity of sounds. Because the energy of these phenomena dissipate in all directions and is dependent on the the distance from the source measured, these scales do not progress in a linear fashion, but rather logarithmically. An increase of one full point on the Richter (or Decibel) scale equates to a ten-fold increase in the intensity of the phenomenon. Thus, for example, an earthquake that is measured as a 2 on the Richter scale is ten times more intense than one measured as a 1.


Why do researchers use experiments rather than other research methods?

cause and effects


Do earthquakes cause volcanoes to explode?

In most cases, no. However, there is evidence that, on a few occasions, earthquakes appear to have triggered eruptions, most likely by disturbing the magma chamber beneath the volcano. Earthquakes often precede a volcanic eruption, be these are not the cause of the eruption, but are rather a result of the movement of magma that leads to an eruption.


How do scientist predict earthquake?

Seismologists attempt to quantify the risk posed by a particular fault zone rather than state exactly when an earthquake will occur (as this is currently impossible).For more information, please see the related question.Yes Kashmir was predicted an earthquake but scientists predicted an atrocious earthquake which would wipe out most of India. But it gave the strength of 7.6 on the Richter scale which was less than they feared


Researchers use experiments rather than other research methods in order to distinguish between?

Causes and effects


What is the advantage of direct microscopic count?

You get an accurate answer with it rather than using semi quantitative methods to get estimated results.