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With reference to the measurement of earthquakes, consider the following statements:
1. The Richter scale is a magnitude scale calculated by the logarithm of the amplitude of waves.
2. The Mercalli scale is an intensity scale used to quantify the effect of an earthquake on human life.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 only
  • b)
    2 only
  • c)
    Both 1 and 2
  • d)
    Neither 1 nor 2
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
With reference to the measurement of earthquakes, consider the followi...
  • Measurement of Earthquakes is done according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock.
  • Magnitude Scale:
    • Magnitude is the amount of energy released and is based on the direct measurement of the size of seismic waves. The magnitude scale is known as the Richter Scale. Hence statement 1 is correct.
    • The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter as a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs.
    • Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a ten-fold increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of energy, each whole number step in the magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31 times more energy than the amount associated with the preceding whole number value.
  • Intensity Scale:
    • The intensity of an earthquake is measured in terms of its effects on human life. The intensity of an earthquake at a specific location depends on a number of factors the total amount of energy released, the distance from the epicenter, the types of rocks, and the degree of consolidation.
    • The Mercalli intensity scale is a scale used for measuring the intensity of an earthquake. The scale quantifies the effects of an earthquake on the Earth's surface, humans, objects of nature, and man-made structures on a scale of I through XII, with I denoting ‘not felt’, and XII ‘total destruction’. Hence statement 2 is correct.
    • Data is gathered from individuals who have experienced the quake, and an intensity value will be given to their location.
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Community Answer
With reference to the measurement of earthquakes, consider the followi...


Explanation:

Richter Scale:
- The Richter scale is a magnitude scale used to measure the energy released by an earthquake.
- It is calculated based on the logarithm of the amplitude of seismic waves recorded on seismographs.
- The scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.

Mercalli Scale:
- The Mercalli scale, on the other hand, is an intensity scale used to measure the effects of an earthquake on people, buildings, and the environment.
- It is based on observed effects and ranges from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction).
- Unlike the Richter scale, the Mercalli scale is not based on instrumental measurements but rather on observations and reports from people who experienced the earthquake.

Correct Answer:
- Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.
- The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake, while the Mercalli scale measures the intensity of its effects.
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With reference to the measurement of earthquakes, consider the following statements:1. The Richter scale is a magnitude scale calculated by the logarithm of the amplitude of waves.2. The Mercalli scale is an intensity scale used to quantify the effect of an earthquake on human life.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?a)1 onlyb)2 onlyc)Both 1 and 2d)Neither 1 nor 2Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
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