The Richter Scale - Magnitude and Earthquake Energy
byStudent
Earthquakes are measured in two different ways. The most scientific measure is the Richter scale which tells us an earthquake's magnitude or how much energy was released by the fault movement. For each earthquake there is only ONE magnitude or Richter measurement. Click on the following hyperlink to learn more about the Richter Scale and Magnitude. How does the release of earthquake energy effect buildings?
| KEYWORDS | Richter scale, energy, earthquakes, magnitude |
| SUBMITTER | Kevin Oliver |
| METHODS | This information is drawn from the University of Nevada Reno's Seismological Laboratory. |
| INSPIRATION | This web page describes one seismic measurement - energy or the magnitude of an earthquake. It is described by the Richter Scale. |
| PROJECTS | Geology Inventors |
| GUIDANCE | - How much energy is released by an earthquake measuring 4 on the Richter scale? - What about a 5 or 6? - How does an earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale compare to a stick of dynamite or small construction blast? |
| COMPREHENSION TIME | 5 to 20 minutes |
| SCIENCE LEVEL | Middle School and Above |
