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How do we measure the intensity and magnitude of Earthquakes

Page history last edited by coylem@... 12 years, 11 months ago

 

 

Earthquakes - The Mercalli Scale & The Richter Scale

 

 

The Mercalli Scale

Level Of Damage

The Richter Scale

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

 

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