Consider the following statements with respect to the Mercalli scale ...
- Earthquakes are tremors which are produced by the passage of vibratory waves through the rocks of the earth. The severity of an earthquake can be expressed in terms of both intensity and magnitude. Intensity is based on the observed effects of ground shaking on people, buildings, and natural features. It varies from place to place within the disturbed region depending on the location of the observer with respect to the earthquake epicenter. Magnitude is related to the amount of seismic energy released at the hypocenter of the earthquake. It is based on the amplitude of the earthquake waves recorded on instruments which have a common calibration.
- Both statements are correct: Mercalli scale is a seismic intensity scale used for measuring the intensity of shaking produced by an earthquake. It measures the effects of an earthquake at a given location. It measures the intensity of an earthquake by observing its effect on people, the environment and the earth’s surface. It is a linear measurement.
- Richter scale is a quantitative measure of an earthquake’s magnitude (size). The earthquake’s magnitude is determined using the logarithm of the amplitude (height) of the largest seismic wave calibrated to a scale by a seismograph. The Richter Scale measures the energy released by an earthquake using a seismograph.
Consider the following statements with respect to the Mercalli scale ...
Explanation:
Mercalli scale:
- The Mercalli scale is a measurement scale used to determine the intensity of an earthquake based on the observed effects on people, buildings, and the environment.
- It is a subjective scale that relies on observations and reports from people who experienced the earthquake.
- The intensity of an earthquake is measured using Roman numerals from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction).
- The scale takes into account factors such as shaking intensity, damage to buildings, and the impact on humans and the environment.
- The Mercalli scale is linear because it directly measures the observed effects of an earthquake and assigns a corresponding intensity level.
Richter scale:
- The Richter scale is a measurement scale used to determine the magnitude of an earthquake based on the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by seismographs.
- It is a logarithmic scale that measures the energy released by an earthquake.
- The Richter scale assigns a numerical value to the earthquake's magnitude, with each whole number increase representing a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves and roughly 31.6 times more energy release.
- For example, a magnitude 5 earthquake is 10 times stronger than a magnitude 4 earthquake and releases about 31.6 times more energy.
- The Richter scale focuses on the amplitude of seismic waves rather than the observed effects on the earth's surface.
Explanation of the given statements:
1) Mercalli scale is linear whereas the Richter scale is logarithmic.
- This statement is correct. The Mercalli scale is linear because it directly measures the observed effects of an earthquake, while the Richter scale is logarithmic because it measures the amplitude of seismic waves.
2) The Mercalli scale measurement is based on the observation of the earthquake's effect on the earth's surface, and the Richter scale's measurement is based on the amplitude of Seismic waves.
- This statement is also correct. The Mercalli scale relies on observations and reports of the earthquake's effects on people, buildings, and the environment, while the Richter scale measures the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by seismographs.
Conclusion:
Both statements are correct. The Mercalli scale is linear and based on observed effects, while the Richter scale is logarithmic and based on the amplitude of seismic waves.