The Richter Scale
THE RICHTER SCALE
The Richter Scale, named after Charles. Richter, is the mathematical relationship that is used to compare the strength (magnitude) of earthquakes. Seismometers are devices that measure the amplitude of seismic waves and the timing in between those waves to determine the source of earthquakes and their magnitude.
The Video below demonstrates how seismometers create data on graphs.
The Richter Scale, named after Charles. Richter, is the mathematical relationship that is used to compare the strength (magnitude) of earthquakes. Seismometers are devices that measure the amplitude of seismic waves and the timing in between those waves to determine the source of earthquakes and their magnitude.
The Video below demonstrates how seismometers create data on graphs.
It is important to note that the Richter Scale is logarithmic, meaning differences in whole numbers are ten times larger. That is, a 6.0 magnitude Earthquake on the Richter scale is ten times larger than a 5.0 magnitude earthquake and a hundred times larger than a 4.0 magnitude earthquake. When an Earthquake is said to have a magnitude of 2.0 or smaller, it is considered to be a micro-earthquake and can only be felt within a limited distance from the epicentre (source of the Earthquake).