What is the difference between richter scale and mercalli scale

An earthquake has one magnitude. The magnitude does not depend on where the measurement is made. Often, several slightly different magnitudes are reported for an earthquake. This happens because the relation between the seismic measurements and the magnitude is complex and different procedures will often give slightly different magnitudes for the same earthquake.

Intensity scales, like the Modified Mercalli Scale and the Rossi-Forel scale, measure the amount of shaking at a particular location. An earthquake causes many different intensities of shaking in the area of the epicenter where it occurs.

So the intensity of an earthquake will vary depending on where you are. Sometimes earthquakes are referred to by the maximum intensity they produce.

The Mercalli Scale is based on observable earthquake damage. From a scientific standpoint, the magnitude scale is based on seismic records while the Mercalli is based on observable data which can be subjective. Thus, the magnitude scale is considered scientifically more objective and therefore more accurate. For example a level I-V on the Mercalli scale would represent a small amount of observable damage.

At this level doors would rattle, dishes break and weak or poor plaster would crack. As the level rises toward the larger numbers, the amount of damage increases considerably. Intensity X 10 is the highest value on the MMI. The primary goal of U.

Geological Survey USGS Natural Hazards Response is to ensure that the disaster response community has access to timely, accurate, and relevant geospatial products, imagery, and services during and after an emergency event. During the past 35 years, scientists have developed a vast network of seismometers that record earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and nuclear explosions throughout the world.

Seismographic data support disaster response, scientific research, and global security. With this network, the United States maintains world leadership in monitoring the Mexico was hit by one of the most devastating earthquakes in its history on September 19, at a. MDT time. In less than a minute, seismic waves from this earthquake had traveled to Mexico City. At this early hour USGS map displaying intensity of potential ground shaking from natural and human-induced earthquakes.

There is a small chance one percent that ground shaking intensity will occur at this level or higher. There is a greater chance 99 percent that ground shaking will be lower than what is displayed in these maps. This map shows earthquakes above magnitude 4. While the Mercalli scale describes the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects , the Richter scale describes the earthquake's magnitude by measuring the seismic waves that cause the earthquake. The two scales have different applications and measurement techniques.

The Mercalli scale is linear and the Richter scale is logarithmic. The Richter Scale measures the energy released by an earthquake using a seismograph. A base logarithmic scale is obtained by calculating the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by the seismograph.

This video explains how earthquakes are measured using the Richter and Mercalli intensity scales. It is, however, used to compare the damage caused by earthquakes in different areas. Ask them what Modified Mercalli scale rating they would give it. Have the students complete the worksheet. They are asked to predict the Modified Mercalli and Richter Scale magnitudes for a series of earthquake descriptions. IV - moderate: 4. X - disastrous; II - feeble; 3.

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