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Question
How is the intensity of an earthquake measured?
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Solution
- Richter Scale: The Richter scale measures the magnitude (the amount of energy released) of an earthquake. It is a numerical scale that ranges from 1 to 9, where each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of seismic waves. It is based on mathematical calculations and provides a precise measurement of earthquake size.
- Mercalli Scale: The Mercalli scale measures the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects on people, buildings, and the Earth’s surface. It ranges from I to XII (1 to 12) and is a subjective scale, meaning it varies depending on the location and the experience of the people who feel the earthquake.
The Richter scale is more commonly used to measure the magnitude, whereas the Mercalli scale is useful for understanding the severity and impact of the earthquake on the surface.
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