Earthquake Magnitude and Intensity

What does the magnitude of an earthquake measure?

• The energy released at the source of the earthquake

• The strength of shaking at a specific location

• The observable damage caused by the earthquake

• The distance from the fault rupture area

Which scale is most commonly used today to measure the magnitude of earthquakes?

• Richter scale

• Moment magnitude scale (Mw)

• Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale

• Isoseismal curves

What does the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale describe?

• The energy released at the earthquake's source

• The effects of an earthquake in terms of observable damage

• The physical properties of the earthquake

• The amplitude on a seismogram

How does the magnitude scale differ from intensity scales?

• Magnitude is based on seismic records, while intensity is based on observable data

• Magnitude varies from place to place, while intensity is a single value

• Magnitude measures observable damage, while intensity measures energy released

• Magnitude is subjective, while intensity is objective

What are isoseismal curves used for in the context of earthquakes?

• To connect points of equal intensity

• To measure the energy released at the earthquake's source

• To describe the effects of an earthquake in terms of observable damage

• To determine the magnitude of an earthquake