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Mercalli & Richter Scales - Dox

The document discusses two scales used to measure earthquakes: 1. The Mercalli scale measures earthquake intensity based on the effects on people and structures. Intensity is represented by Roman numerals from I to XII. 2. The Richter scale measures earthquake magnitude based on the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Higher magnitudes indicate more severe shaking. 3. Earthquakes of similar magnitudes can have different intensities depending on location and the structures and environment affected. Factors like building quality and soil conditions impact how strongly an earthquake is felt.

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63 views2 pages

Mercalli & Richter Scales - Dox

The document discusses two scales used to measure earthquakes: 1. The Mercalli scale measures earthquake intensity based on the effects on people and structures. Intensity is represented by Roman numerals from I to XII. 2. The Richter scale measures earthquake magnitude based on the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Higher magnitudes indicate more severe shaking. 3. Earthquakes of similar magnitudes can have different intensities depending on location and the structures and environment affected. Factors like building quality and soil conditions impact how strongly an earthquake is felt.

Uploaded by

buckss79
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Mercalli & Richter Scales

Use these links to answer the following questions:


 https://dev-acquisition.cr.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mercalli.php
 https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/moment-magnitude-richter-scale-what-are-different-magnitude-
scales-and-why-are-there-so-many?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products
 https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-are-earthquakes-recorded-how-are-earthquakes-measured-
how-magnitude-earthquake-determined?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-
news_science_products
1. Define earthquake magnitude
The magnitude is a number that characterizes the relative size of an earthquake. Magnitude is
based on measurement of the maximum motion recorded by a seismograph. Scales 1-3 have
limited range and applicability and do not satisfactorily measure the size of the largest
earthquakes.

2. Define earthquake intensity


The intensity is a number (written as a Roman numeral) describing the severity of
an earthquake in terms of its effects on the earth's surface and on humans and their
structures. Several scales exist, but the ones most commonly used in the United States are
the Modified Mercalli scale and the Rossi-Forel scale.

3. What does the Richter scale measure?


Magnitude

4. What does the Mercalli scale measure?


Intensity

5. Why can earthquakes of similar magnitudes have very different intensities?


It can depend on the damage done to structures, deaths etc.

6. Fill in the boxes for the Modified Mercalli Scale

Intensit
Shaking Description Damage
y
I Not felt Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.

II Weak Felt only by a few persons at rest,especially on upper floors of


buildings.

III Weak Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors
of buildings. Many people do not recognize it as an earthquake.
Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the
passing of a truck. Duration estimated.

IV Light Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night,
some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make
cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building.
Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.
V Moderate Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows
broken. Unstable objects overturned. Pendulum clocks may stop.

VI Strong Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few
instances of fallen plaster. Damage slight.

VII Very Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction;


strong slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable
damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some
chimneys broken.

VIII Severe Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable


damage in ordinary substantial buildings with partial collapse.
Damage great in poorly built structures. Fall of chimneys, factory
stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned.

IX Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-


Violent designed frame structures thrown out of plumb. Damage great in
substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off
foundations.

X Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and


Extreme frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent.

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