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Magnitude regards the size of the event of phenomena, whereas intensity refers to amounts over time. Intensity is akin to frequency. For example when measuring earthquakes, Richter scale gauges its force through magnitude, and its intensity is frequency of resonation felt.

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10y ago
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5mo ago

Magnitude measures the total energy released at the earthquake's source, while intensity measures the effects of the earthquake at a specific location. Magnitude is a single value that applies to the entire earthquake, whereas intensity can vary from location to location depending on factors such as distance from the epicenter and local geology.

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14y ago

Magnitude is a measure of the total energy emitted during an earthquake. It is the same no mater where it is measured.

Intensity is a measure of the violence of ground shaking at a particular point. This is based on the statements of witnesses, damage to buildings and the ground acceleration as measured by a seismometer. As such it varies from place to place for a given earthquake.

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13y ago

The Richter scale measures the magnitude of the earthquakes total energy to determine the epicentre.Intensity of the seismic waves differes from place to place and is subjective measurement on Mercalli scale

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13y ago

The magnitude of an earthquake describes the amount of energy released when the earthquake occurs. It is a single figure that does not vary for a given quake. Intensity is a term used to describe the severity of ground shaking and damage done in a specific location. It's value can vary for a given earthquake in differing areas.

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6y ago

There are two ways of describing an earthquake;by intensity and by magnitude.

When we talk of intensity, we are referring to the effects and damage produced by the earthquake. It is determined by going to all the areas affected by the earthquake and observing the damage, as well as recording the experiences of the people there. The first intensity scale was developed by Giuseppe Mercalli in 1902.

This has since been improved by the use of strong motion seismometers which are able to measure ground accelerations and so produce a less subjective assessment of intensity. The value of intensity can vary from place to place. In the US the intensity of an earthquake is measured using the Modified Mercalli scale and in Europe the Macroseismic scale is used (which appears to be an updated version of the original Mercalli intensity scale).

Earthquake magnitude on the other hand is a single value (it should be the same no matter where it is measured) and is based on the amount of seismic energy produced by an earthquake. It can be estimated from the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by a seismometer (and requires scaling to account for the distance of the recording station from the earthquakes epicentre) or directly based on the cross sectional area of the fault which moved, the average displacement and the shear modulus of the rockmass. In the past the Richter magnitude scale was commonly used however seismologists now use the Moment magnitude scale.

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12y ago

Intensity is the overall effect of the quake on human, structures, bridges etc. Magnitude is the measure of the release of energy.

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Q: How is magnitude and intensity scale in earthquakes different?
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Does the Richter scale measure intensity?

The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake, which is the amount of energy released at the source. It does not measure the intensity or effects of the earthquake at different locations. It is commonly used to compare the size of earthquakes.


What was the mercali scale when the kamchatka earthquake hit in 1952?

The Kamchatka earthquake in 1952 had a magnitude of 9.0 on the moment magnitude scale, which is the modern scale used to measure earthquake magnitudes. The Mercalli intensity scale, which measures the intensity of shaking at a specific location, is not applicable to earthquakes of this magnitude.


What is the name of the scale that measures earthquakes?

The Richter scale was originally developed to measure the strength or magnitude of moderate earthquakes (magnitudes less than 7). The surface wave magnitude scale was then developed by Richter and Guttenburg to allow larger earthquake magnitudes to be measured (up to 8). To measure large earthquakes the moment magnitude scale must be used. To measure the severity of earthquakes, the Modified Mercalli intensity scale is used in the US and the Macroseismic scale is used in Europe.


What is the scale used to measure earthquakes?

Earthquakes are typically measured using the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale. The Richter scale measures the amplitude of seismic waves, while the moment magnitude scale estimates the total energy released by an earthquake. Both scales provide a numerical rating of the earthquake's strength.


Why do scientists use different scales to rate earthquakes?

Scientists use different scales to rate earthquakes because each scale is designed to measure different aspects of the earthquake, such as magnitude, intensity, or impact. Each scale has its own advantages and limitations, and by using different scales, scientists can provide a more complete understanding of the earthquake event.

Related questions

What scale gives the intensity of earthquakes?

Richter scale is used to measure earthquakes magnitude Shake intensity is measured on the Mercalli scale


Does the Richter scale measure intensity?

The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake, which is the amount of energy released at the source. It does not measure the intensity or effects of the earthquake at different locations. It is commonly used to compare the size of earthquakes.


How is the size of earthquakes measured?

They use a richter scale to measure intensity and magnitude.


What scale is used to measure earthquake intensity?

The scale used to measure earthquake intensity is the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale. This scale measures the intensity of shaking and the resulting effects on structures and people at a given location during an earthquake.


What scales are used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?

The most commonly used scale to measure the magnitude of earthquakes is the Richter scale. However, the moment magnitude scale (Mw) is now more widely used as it provides a more accurate measurement for larger earthquakes. Other scales include the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which measures the intensity of shaking at a specific location.


What are all of the scales for measuring earthquakes?

The main scales for measuring earthquakes are the Richter scale, the moment magnitude scale, and the Mercalli intensity scale. The Richter scale measures the amplitude of seismic waves, the moment magnitude scale considers the total energy released by an earthquake, and the Mercalli intensity scale measures the intensity of shaking and its effects on people and structures.


What was the mercali scale when the kamchatka earthquake hit in 1952?

The Kamchatka earthquake in 1952 had a magnitude of 9.0 on the moment magnitude scale, which is the modern scale used to measure earthquake magnitudes. The Mercalli intensity scale, which measures the intensity of shaking at a specific location, is not applicable to earthquakes of this magnitude.


What are the two way scientists measure earthquakes?

Moment Magnitude Scale. Large earthquakes are not measured very well by the Richter scale, especially if the seimometers used are very far away from anearthquakeepicenter. The moment magnitude scale is now most commonly usedfor medium to large earthquakes.


What scale is used to measure earthquakes?

The absolute magnitude of a quake is conventionally reported by numbers on the Moment magnitude scale (formerly Richter scale, magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas), whereas the felt magnitude is reported using the modified Mercalli intensity scale (intensity II-XII).


What is the used to measure earthquakes?

The absolute magnitude of a quake is conventionally reported by numbers on the Moment magnitude scale (formerly Richter scale, magnitude 7 causing serious damage over large areas), whereas the felt magnitude is reported using the modified Mercalli intensity scale (intensity II-XII).


What is the name of the scale that measures earthquakes?

The Richter scale was originally developed to measure the strength or magnitude of moderate earthquakes (magnitudes less than 7). The surface wave magnitude scale was then developed by Richter and Guttenburg to allow larger earthquake magnitudes to be measured (up to 8). To measure large earthquakes the moment magnitude scale must be used. To measure the severity of earthquakes, the Modified Mercalli intensity scale is used in the US and the Macroseismic scale is used in Europe.


What is the scale used to measure earthquakes?

Earthquakes are typically measured using the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale. The Richter scale measures the amplitude of seismic waves, while the moment magnitude scale estimates the total energy released by an earthquake. Both scales provide a numerical rating of the earthquake's strength.