GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Richter scale measures the largest wiggle (amplitude) on the recording, but other magnitude scales measure different parts of the earthquake. The USGS currently reports earthquake magnitudes using the Moment Magnitude scale, though many other magnitudes are calculated for research and comparison purposes.

Detailed explanation-2: -The idea of a logarithmic earthquake magnitude scale was first developed by Charles Richter in the 1930’s for measuring the size of earthquakes occurring in southern California using relatively high-frequency data from nearby seismograph stations.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Richter scale is a base-10 logarithmic scale, meaning that each order of magnitude is 10 times more intensive than the last one. In other words, a two is 10 times more intense than a one and a three is 100 times greater. In the case of the Richter scale, the increase is in wave amplitude.

Detailed explanation-4: -1. Richter Scale is used to measure the scale of absolute ‘Magnitude’ of an earthquake based on the amount of seismic energy released. 2. Mercalli scale measures the ‘Intensity’ of an earthquake based on based on the amount of destruction caused.