Definition of a Richter Scale?

Question

i need a definition or more like a paragrph that explains what a richter scale and how it works. i would love to have the info by an hour so if you could help me out i would be so pleased.
ive got an assightment due 1st period tomorrow PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

There are two different scales - the Richter scale and the Mercalli Scale. The Richter measures the magnitude and the Mercalli measures intensity. Magnitude measures the energy, or the size, of the earthquake. Mercalli measures how much damage was done.

For every point on the Richter scale is x10 previous, meaning, just say, 1 was 10, then 2 would be 10x10=100, and 3 would be 100x10=1000. You could have a 3 on the Richter scale, which is small, but it could cause a lot of damage and be a 10 on the Mercalli - the size of the earthquake doesn't matter, it's how much damage and life lost that matters. Richter is used just to measure how big the earthquake was, but as I said, small doesn't mean no damage.

Answer 2

The Richter scale is a standard scale used to compare earthquakes. It is a logarithmic scale, meaning that the numbers on the scale measure factors of 10. So, for example, an earthquake that measures 4.0 on the Richter scale is 10 times larger than one that measures 3.0. On the Richter scale, anything below 2.0 is undetectable to a normal person and is called a microquake. Microquakes occur constantly. Moderate earthquakes measure less than 6.0 or so on the Richter scale. Earthquakes measuring more than 6.0 can cause significant damage. The maximum quake rating ever measured is about 8.9.

Answer 3

Actually, Jeremy M, the Richter scale is not base 10, but base 32.

So a 3 magnitude would be 32x32 times greater than a 1 or 1024 times greater.

An 8 magnitude would be 32^5 times greater than a 3 magnitude or 33554432 times greater.

And Col B, the largest EQ ever recorded was a 9.5 in Chile in 1960. The nest biggest recorded was a 9.2 in Alaska in 1962.

Answer 4

Richter Scale Definition