You are here
Measuring Earthquakes
Quick revise
Richter Scale
The power (magnitude) of an earthquake is measured on the Richter scale, using an instrument called a seismometer.
The Richter scale is numbered 0-10 with 10 being the most powerful.
The Richter scale is logarithmic – an earthquake measuring 7 is 10 times more powerful than one measuring 6 and 100 times more powerful than one measuring 5.
Mercalli Scale
The Mercalli scale measures the damage caused by an earthquake.
The Mercalli scale goes from I to XII
