The Richter scale and the Mercalli scale are two scales used to measure earthquake magnitude. The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale, while the Mercalli scale is a qualitative scale. Each of these scales has its own strengths and weaknesses. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast these two scales. We will also discuss how each scale is used to measure earthquake magnitude.
What is Richter Scale?
The Richter Scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake. It was developed in 1935 by Charles Richter, a seismologist at the California Institute of Technology. The Richter Scale is based on the amplitude, or height, of the seismic waves that are recorded by seismographs. The Richter Scale has no upper limit; the largest earthquake ever recorded had a magnitude of 9.5. However, most earthquakes have a magnitude between 2 and 6. The Richter Scale is used to determine the intensity of an earthquake, as well as its potential damage. Seismologists often use the Richter Scale to compare the size of different earthquakes.
What is Mercalli Scale?
Mercalli Scale is a measure of the intensity of an earthquake. Mercalli Scale was developed in 1902 by Giuseppe Mercalli, an Italian volcanologist and Catholic priest. It is based on observed damage and human feel. The Mercalli Scale has 12 levels, with level I being the weakest and level XII being the most destructive. Mercalli Scale is used to complement the Richter Scale, which is a measure of the energy released by an earthquake. Mercalli Scale is more useful for measuring the effects of an earthquake, while Richter Scale is more useful for measuring the size of an earthquake.
Difference between Richter Scale and Mercalli Scale
The Richter scale and the Mercalli scale are two ways of measuring earthquakes. The Richter scale is a measure of the earthquake’s magnitude, while the Mercalli scale is a measure of the earthquake’s intensity. Magnitude is how much energy was released during the earthquake, while intensity is how much shaking was felt at the epicenter of the earthquake.
The Richter scale is calculated using seismographs, while the Mercalli scale is based on eyewitness reports. The Richter scale goes from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most powerful; the Mercalli scale goes from I to XII, with XII being the most intense. Earthquakes with a Richter magnitude of 7 or higher are considered major earthquakes, while those with a Mercalli intensity of VIII or higher are considered catastrophic earthquakes.
Conclusion
The Richter Scale is a measure of the magnitude of an earthquake. It is based on the amplitude (height) of the largest seismic wave recorded by a seismograph. The Mercalli Scale, on the other hand, measures how much an earthquake was felt by people and structures in an area. It also takes into account damage to buildings, landslides, etc.
