GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Each increase of one unit on the scale represents a 10-fold increase in the magnitude of an earthquake. In other words, numbers on the Richter scale are proportional to the common (base 10) logarithms of maximum wave amplitudes.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Richter scale does NOT go from 1 to 10, or between any limits at all. Magnitude 0 and smaller earthquakes happen all the time. As a matter of fact, the smaller they are, the more frequently they occur, but the instrumental detection limit extends only to around magnitude-3.

Detailed explanation-3: -No, earthquakes of magnitude 10 or larger cannot happen. The magnitude of an earthquake is related to the length of the fault on which it occurs. That is, the longer the fault, the larger the earthquake.

Detailed explanation-4: -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-5: -The PEIS has ten intensity scales represented in Roman numerals with Intensity I being the weakest and Intensity X being the strongest. Perceptible to people under favorable circumstances. Delicately balanced objects are disturbed slightly. Still water in containers oscillates slowly.