There are two instruments, which are basically the same thing. There is the seismograph , and a more specific tool measures the waves on what is called the Richter scale. Earthquakes are given a number from one to ten, ten being the strongest. The strongest earthquake that their ever was, was measured a 9.3.
This is known as magnitude. It is measured on the moment magnitude scale.
The Richter or local magnitude scale of the Haitian earthquake has been reported as 7.2. and the Moment magnitude as 7.0 (according to the U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center).Please see the related questions for further information about the Haitian earthquake and it's magnitude and severity.7.0 magnitutes
The main scales for measuring earthquakes are the Richter scale, the moment magnitude scale, and the Mercalli intensity scale. The Richter scale measures the amplitude of seismic waves, the moment magnitude scale considers the total energy released by an earthquake, and the Mercalli intensity scale measures the intensity of shaking and its effects on people and structures.
The magnitude of the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, was 6.3 on the Richter scale.
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.
The strongest earthquake to date that was recorded is the Valdivia, Chile (May 22, 1960) earthquake (Great Chilean earthquake) with a on the moment scale magnitude of 9.5.
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.
There are two instruments, which are basically the same thing. There is the seismograph , and a more specific tool measures the waves on what is called the Richter scale. Earthquakes are given a number from one to ten, ten being the strongest. The strongest earthquake that their ever was, was measured a 9.3.
The Richter scale
This is known as magnitude. It is measured on the moment magnitude scale.
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of the 2011 Japan earthquake on moment magnitude scale is 9.0.The use of the Richter magnitude scale has largely been replaced by the moment magnitude scale in most countries.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 moment magnitude scale is more accurate for large earthquake than can cause damage.
Geologists use the moment magnitude scale (Mw) to rate the magnitude of an earthquake today. This scale takes into account the seismic moment, which provides a more precise measurement of an earthquake's size compared to the Richter scale.
A magnitude scale. Formerly the Richter magnitude scale was used, but this has now been replaced by the Moment magnitude scale.
There are two instruments, which are basically the same thing. There is the seismograph , and a more specific tool measures the waves on what is called the Richter scale. Earthquakes are given a number from one to ten, ten being the strongest. The strongest earthquake that their ever was, was measured a 9.3.
The Richter or local magnitude scale of the Haitian earthquake has been reported as 7.2. and the Moment magnitude as 7.0 (according to the U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center).Please see the related questions for further information about the Haitian earthquake and it's magnitude and severity.7.0 magnitutes