Master the Richter Scale

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What is the Richter scale used to measure?

The magnitude of earthquakes

Who developed the Richter scale?

Charles Richter

What is seismic activity?

The movement of the ground due to rock breaking below the surface

What do seismographs measure?

The amount of ground shaking during an earthquake Signup and view all the answers

What is the moment magnitude scale?

A scale used to measure the size of an earthquake based on the amount of energy released Signup and view all the answers

What can seismographs tell us about an earthquake?

They can tell us how much the ground shook and how much energy was released during the quake Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate number of magnitude 2 earthquakes that occur each year?

1,000,000 Signup and view all the answers

How many magnitude 5 earthquakes occur annually?

1,000 Signup and view all the answers

What is the energy equivalent of a magnitude 2 earthquake?

50 kg of explosive Signup and view all the answers

How much energy is released from a magnitude 5 earthquake?

1,800,000 kg of explosive Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended website mentioned in the text?

Study.com Signup and view all the answers

What is the analogy used to describe Study.com?

like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me Signup and view all the answers

How did the website help the author?

pass their exam and the test questions were similar to the practice quizzes Signup and view all the answers

What feeling does the author have towards Study.com?

it's a lifeline Signup and view all the answers

What is the range of the Richter scale?

1 - 10 Signup and view all the answers

How does the Richter scale measure earthquakes?

By the amount of ground shaking Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the magnitude of an earthquake and the amount of ground shaking?

Logarithmic - each increase of 1 point on the scale results in 10 times more ground shaking Signup and view all the answers

How does the energy released during an earthquake change with each step up the Richter scale?

Increases 32 times Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the moment magnitude scale?

To measure medium- to large-sized earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

Why are most earthquakes measured on the Richter scale?

The moment magnitude scale is not accurate for smaller events Signup and view all the answers