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How do we measure the intensity and magnitude of Earthquakes
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last edited
by coylem@... 12 years, 11 months ago
Earthquakes - The Mercalli Scale & The Richter Scale
The Mercalli Scale
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Level Of Damage
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The Richter Scale
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1-4 |
Instrumental to Moderate |
No damage. |
</= 4.3 |
5 |
Rather Strong |
Damage negligible. Small, unstable objects displaced or upset; some dishes and glassware broken. |
4.4 - 4.8 |
6 |
Strong |
Damage slight. Windows, dishes, glassware broken. Furniture moved or overturned. Weak plaster and masonry cracked. |
4.9 - 5.4 |
7 |
Very Strong |
Damage slight-moderate in well-built structures; considerable in poorly-built structures. Furniture and weak chimneys broken. Masonry damaged. Loose bricks, tiles, plaster, and stones will fall. |
5.5 - 6.1 |
8 |
Destructive |
Structure damage considerable, particularly to poorly built structures. Chimneys, monuments, towers, elevated tanks may fail. Frame houses moved. Trees damaged. Cracks in wet ground and steep slopes. |
6.2 - 6.5 |
9 |
Ruinous |
Structural damage severe; some will collapse. General damage to foundations. Serious damage to reservoirs. Underground pipes broken. Conspicuous cracks in ground; liquefaction. |
6.6 - 6.9 |
10 |
Disastrous |
Most masonry and frame structures/foundations destroyed. Some well-built wooden structures and bridges destroyed. Serious damage to dams, dikes, embankments. Sand and mud shifting on beaches and flat land. |
7.0 - 7.3 |
11 |
Very Disastrous |
Few or no masonry structures remain standing. Bridges destroyed. Broad fissures in ground. Underground pipelines completely out of service. Rails bent. Widespread earth slumps and landslides. |
7.4 - 8.1 |
12 |
Catastrophic |
Damage nearly total. Large rock masses displaces. Lines of sight and level distorted. |
> 8.1 |
How do we measure the intensity and magnitude of Earthquakes
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