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The moment magnitude scale is used by seismologists to measure the amount of energy released by large earthquakes (those greater than magnitude 8.0).

For smaller earthquakes (those with magnitudes less than 7.0 and with epicentres less than 650 km from a seismometer station may be used) the method devised by Richter (the Richter magnitude scale) may be used to estimate the magnitude. The surface wave magnitude scale may be used for earthquakes with magnitudes up to 8.0 (devised by Richter and Gutenberg to extend the utility of the Richter scale.)

Richter magnitudes are generally easier to derive than moment magnitudes being based on direct seismometer measurements, whereas the moment magnitude is a more4 fundamental measurement of magnitude being based on the rock mass strength around the fault, the amplitude of fault movement and the cross sectional area of that portion of the fault that moved. However this is more difficult to measure.

As such it is common for initial reports to be in Richter magnitudes and more detailed letter magnitudes to be reported as moment magnitudes.

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12y ago
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AnswerBot

6mo ago

The energy released by an earthquake is typically measured using the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale. Both scales quantify the magnitude of an earthquake based on the seismic waves it produces.

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Wiki User

11y ago

There are two instruments, which are basically the same thing. There is the seismograph , and a more specific tool measures the waves on what is called the Richter scale. Earthquakes are given a number from one to ten, ten being the strongest. The strongest earthquake that their ever was, was measured a 9.3.
The Richter magnitude scale, the Surface wave magnitude scale and the moment magnitude scale are all used to estimate the amount of energy released by an earthquake.

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8y ago

The seismic moment is a measure of the total amount of energy that is released during an earthquake.

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bello

Lvl 1
3y ago
h

Should be a Seismic trace and or Seismic waves.

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Paige Grant

Lvl 1
3y ago
how do you know that
Well, In my free time I enjoy writing down notes for subjects I'm learning and or have learned.
Actually now that I think about it the specific scale would be the Richter scale.

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Q: What scale is used to measure the energy released by an earthquake?
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Related questions

Magnitude is an earthquake's what?

The magnitude of an earthquake is caluated to measure the amount of energy released during the earthquake.


What does the moment magnitude scale measure?

the moment magnitude scale rates an earthquake by estimating the total energy released during an earthquake


What is the scale used to measure the amount of sesmic energy released by an earthquake called?

Richter scale.


What is an earthquake's magnitude a measure of?

An earthquake's magnitude is a measure of how strong it is


What is magnitude and how is it measured?

magnitudea measure of the amount of the energy released by earthquake . earthquake is measure through Ricthter scale that measure the magnitude of seismic waves that it has


What is earthquake magnitude and how is it measured?

Earthquake magnitude is a measure of the energy released during an earthquake. It is typically measured using the Richter scale or the moment magnitude scale. These scales assign a numerical value to quantify the seismic energy released, with each whole number increase representing a tenfold increase in amplitude.


What do values on the Richter scale express?

The values on the Richter scale express the magnitude of an earthquake, which is a measure of the energy released at the earthquake's source. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of seismic waves and approximately 31 times more energy release.


What are the functions of a mercalli scale?

it is used to measure the damage caused by an earthquake as oppose to energy released in the Richter scale


What term means the measure of energy released by an earthquake?

The measure of energy released by an earthquake depends on its magnitude. If its a high magnitude earthquake, there is a lot of energy. If there is a low magnitude, then there is little energy.


What scale does PAGASA used to measure the intensity of an earthquake?

PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) uses the Richter scale to measure the intensity of earthquakes. This scale is a logarithmic scale that quantifies the energy released by an earthquake.


What tool is used to measure earthquake's energy?

The Richter scale is a tool used to measure the energy released by an earthquake. It calculates the earthquake's magnitude based on the amplitude of seismic waves recorded on seismographs.


The Richter scale is a system that measures the amount of energy released at the focus of an earthquake?

No. The scale you are describing is an intensity scale such as the modified Mercalli scale. The Richter scale is in fact a magnitude scale which describes the amount of energy released by an earthquake.