GEOLOGY

EARTH SCIENCE

EARTHQUAKES

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Which statement describes the moment magnitude scale?
A
It measures only small earthquakes.
B
It collects data using a seismograph.
C
It shows only the strength of seismic waves that were produced.
D
It determines the amount of damage caused by an earthquake.
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -The statement that describes the moment magnitude scale is that it collects data using a seismograph. The moment magnitude scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake based on the seismic movement.

Detailed explanation-2: -Which statement describes the moment magnitude scale?-It measures only small earthquakes.

Detailed explanation-3: -Moment Magnitude Scale MMS measures the movement of rock along the fault. It accurately measures larger earthquakes, which can last for minutes, affect a much larger area, and cause more damage. The Moment Magnitude can measure the local Richter magnitude (ML), body wave magnitude (Mb), surface wave magnitude (Ms).

Detailed explanation-4: -The moment magnitude uses seismograms plus what physically occurs during an earthquake (which can also be derived from seismograms), known as the “seismic moment". The seismic moment defines how much force is needed to generate the recorded waves.

Detailed explanation-5: -The moment magnitude provides an estimate of earthquake size that is valid over the complete range of magnitudes, a characteristic that was lacking in other magnitude scales.

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