why can the same earthquake have different ratings on the two scales?

Answer 1

Are you talking about the 'Modified' Mercalli and the Richter scale?

If so, the 'Modified' Mercalli scale measures the intensity of the earthquake. This means it measures the affects of the earthquake. Some things that may be noted on this scale is that the road cracked, buildings fell down, or even just that trees shake. This scale measures intensity on a scale of 1-12 with the most destructive being a 12.

The Richter scale measures the magnitude of the earthquake. Magnitude is the amount of energy released. It has nothing to do with the amount of damage caused. This scale is measured from 1-8 with 8 having the most energy released.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

for one it could be that they are at diffrent distances from where the earthquake happend. And are you sure that there was one? It could have been and after shock in a slightly diffrent location that the other one is reading.

I'm not sure but it could have been the type of earthquake and the distance that did that. There are some that go in a wave like motion and others that kind of shake everything. I live in southern california so ya you can actually feel the diffrence. Some times you bounce on the bed sometimes your thrown off.

Answer 3

when an earthquake happens, the point where it happend at is the where u will feel the most force but as the force travels it dies out and if the scale measures the earthquake while it is dieing out then it will come out to different ratings. the highest rating will be at the starting point of the earthquake and the lowest rating will be at the far distance of the earthquake depending on how far it travels.

Answer 4

They are measured from different distances making the measurment a tad off