Exercise
Measuring Earthquakes: Richter and Mercalli Scales
Compare the Richter and Mercalli scales to see how scientists measure earthquake magnitude and observed intensity.
Questions
-
MultiChoice
What term refers to the total amount of energy released by an earthquake?
-
MultiChoice
What term describes the degree of shaking and damage caused by an earthquake at a specific location?
-
MultiChoice
Which scale measures earthquake magnitude based on seismic wave amplitude?
-
MultiChoice
Which scale measures earthquake intensity using Roman numerals I through XII?
-
MultiChoice
Which scale is most commonly used by seismologists today for large earthquakes?
-
MultiChoice
Each whole number increase on the Richter scale represents how many times increase in wave amplitude?
-
MultiChoice
Each whole number step on the Richter scale increases energy release by roughly how much?
-
MultiChoice
What does the Mercalli scale rely on to evaluate an earthquake?
-
MultiChoice
Why can Mercalli intensity ratings vary for the same earthquake at different places?
-
MultiChoice
What mathematical type of scale is the Richter magnitude scale?
-
MultiChoice
How does an earthquake's single magnitude value behave across different reporting cities?
-
MultiChoice
What level of damage is represented by a XII on the Modified Mercalli scale?