answersLogoWhite

0

The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake.

Logarithmic scale is the other measurement which is what you use when talking about how much a measurement of an earthquake goes up by.

There are also but here is just a few.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

How is it possible for an earthquake to measure relativey high on the Mercalli scale but measures low on the Richter scale?

An earthquake can measure relatively high on the Mercalli scale but low on the Richter scale due to the Mercalli scale's focus on the effects and damage caused by the quake rather than its energy release. For example, an earthquake may have a low magnitude but occur in a densely populated area, leading to significant destruction and high intensity ratings on the Mercalli scale. Factors such as local geology, building structures, and distance from the epicenter also influence perceived intensity, making it possible for the Mercalli rating to be high despite a low Richter measurement.


The scale that measures the strength of an earthquake based on seismic waves and movement along a fault?

The Moment magnitude scale (used for earthquakes larger than magnitude 7) and Richter scales can both be used to measure earthquake magnitude (the energy released) although seismologists now predominately use the moment magnitude scale.Earthquake intensity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Scale or the European Macroseismic Intensity Scale (essentially a tweaked version of the Moddified Mercalli Scale).The Moment Magnitude Scale is used by seismologists to rate the energy released by earthquakes, replacing the now outdated Richter or Local Magnitude Scale (still commonly used in the media).Earthquake severity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.Please see the related question.


What scale measures earthqukes?

The moment magnitude scale, the Richter scale (which can only be used for low and moderate magnitude earthquakes less than 6.9) and the modified mercalli intensity scale are used to measure earthquakes.


The scale most widely used by scientists for measuring earthquakes is the?

This depends on what they are trying to measure. If they are interested in the amount of energy an earthquake produces (magnitude), then they will make an initial measurement using the Richter magnitude scale. If it is a large earthquake (greater than 8.0) they will use the moment magnitude scale. If they are interested in the damage caused by an earthquake and the level of ground shaking in a specific area they will use an intensity scale. The most commonly used intensity scales are the Modified Mercalli scale, the European Macroseismic scale, the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale, in India, Israel, Russia and throughout the CIS they use the MSK-64 scale and in China, the China Seismic Intensity Scale. These are all conceptually similar to the Modified Mercalli scale.


How does the Mercalli scale best demonstrate the power and the destructive nature of an earthquake?

The Richter scale measures the force of earthquakes mechanically. The Mercalli scale measures the damage caused by earthquakes. The location of the epicenter of an earthquake can result in a great variation in damage amounts.

Related Questions

What does the mercili scale measures?

The Mercalli scale is a way of measuring the intensity of damage of an earthquake. It is based upon set criteria. This scale might be used rather than the Richter Scal because the mercalli scale is based upon the observed damages, not set scientific data.


Why do insurance companies use the Mercalli scale instead of the Richter scale?

Insurance companies use the Mercalli scale because it provides a more accurate measure of the actual damage caused by an earthquake, rather than just the magnitude. The Mercalli scale takes into account factors such as building construction, soil type, and distance from the epicenter, which are important considerations for assessing insurance claims.


The scale that measures the strength of an earthquake based on seismic waves and movement along a fault?

The Moment magnitude scale (used for earthquakes larger than magnitude 7) and Richter scales can both be used to measure earthquake magnitude (the energy released) although seismologists now predominately use the moment magnitude scale.Earthquake intensity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Scale or the European Macroseismic Intensity Scale (essentially a tweaked version of the Moddified Mercalli Scale).The Moment Magnitude Scale is used by seismologists to rate the energy released by earthquakes, replacing the now outdated Richter or Local Magnitude Scale (still commonly used in the media).Earthquake severity is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.Please see the related question.


An earthquake will be given one number on the Richter scale but more than one on the mercalli scale why is this?

The Richter scale measures the strength of an earthquake, this is always the same value, no matter where you are. The Mercalli intensity scale measures the effect of the earthquake on people and structures, and the intensity value will differ depending on how far you are from the epicenter. For instance, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake may be damaging (intensity VII) around the epicenter, but 300 miles away it may be barely felt (intensity II).


What scale is the instrument that is used to record primary secondary and surface waves of an earthquake?

The Richter Magnitude Scale. The magnitude is a base-10 logarithmic scale obtained by calculating the logarithm of the amplitude of waves measured by a seismograph. An earthquake that measures 5.0 on the Richter scale has a shaking amplitude 10 times larger and corresponds to an energy release of approximately 31.6 times greater than one that measures 4.0 The same applies comparing a 4.0 to a 3.0, a 6.0 to a 5.0, and so on.


What scale measures earthqukes?

The moment magnitude scale, the Richter scale (which can only be used for low and moderate magnitude earthquakes less than 6.9) and the modified mercalli intensity scale are used to measure earthquakes.


What numerical scale expresses the magnitude of earthquakes?

The Richter Magnitude Scale often shortened to Richter scale represents a number to quantify the energy released during an earthquake on a logarithmic scale.Earthquakes with magnitude less than 2.0 are generally not felt by people but only registered by sensitive machines.Earthquakes at the 9.0 and greater range cause severe damage or collapse to all buildings in the area.


What is a ritcher scale used for?

The Richter Scale is the Longarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake. The scale jumps in intervals of 10X each integer increase... i.e:2 on the scale is 10X greater than 13 on the scale is 100X greater than 1, and 10X greater than 2I think the general formula is 10n-1 'n' being the number on the Richter scale, the value of the formula being the value of the number relative to 1 on the Richter scale. Using the formula, you would get 5 to be 104 meaning 10,000 times greater than 1.The Richter scale is a quantitative scale, which measures according to recorded values as opposed to the Mercalli Scale which measures according to what you can see the earthquake has done (i.e. in terms of damage done).


Describe two different ways to measure the size of an earthquake?

The Mercalli scale, which measures the visible effects; and the Richter scale, which measures the energy given off by the earthquake, are the two most common ways of measuring the size of an earthquake.


What are the other methods of mesuring earthquakes rather than the Richter scale?

Other methods of measuring earthquakes include the moment magnitude scale (Mw), the modified Mercalli intensity scale (MMI), and the peak ground acceleration (PGA) method. These methods provide different perspectives on the earthquake's size, intensity, and impact on the ground.


The scale most widely used by scientists for measuring earthquakes is the?

This depends on what they are trying to measure. If they are interested in the amount of energy an earthquake produces (magnitude), then they will make an initial measurement using the Richter magnitude scale. If it is a large earthquake (greater than 8.0) they will use the moment magnitude scale. If they are interested in the damage caused by an earthquake and the level of ground shaking in a specific area they will use an intensity scale. The most commonly used intensity scales are the Modified Mercalli scale, the European Macroseismic scale, the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale, in India, Israel, Russia and throughout the CIS they use the MSK-64 scale and in China, the China Seismic Intensity Scale. These are all conceptually similar to the Modified Mercalli scale.


How does the mercalli scale measure earthquakes?

The Mercalli scale allocates a value to an earthquake based on the perceived shaking in a specific area as well as the damage to buildings and infrastructure that has occurred. The US Geological survey also use data based on the amplitudes of seismic waves and surface accelerations as measured on seismometers to quantify "perceived shaking".