Earthquake Scales

Middle of tectonic plates

Northeastern United States

Along the edges of tectonic plates (plate boundaries)

The Ring of Fire

factor of 30

factor of 10

factor of 100

factor of 900

It is a subjective measure based on human perception.

It was developed in the early 2000s.

A magnitude 6 quake is 10 times stronger than a magnitude 5 quake.

It is primarily used for earthquakes outside of California.

It is based on subjective observations of earthquake damage.

It was developed using data from a single type of seismograph in California.

It accounts for the physical properties of the fault and uses data from multiple seismographs.

It measures the total energy released by an earthquake, unlike the Richter scale.

The Eastern US has more active fault lines, leading to more localized shaking.

The Western US has older, more solid rock, allowing seismic waves to travel farther.

The Eastern US's old, solid, and continuous geology allows seismic waves to travel greater distances.

The Western US's convoluted bedrock with cross-cutting faults amplifies shaking, making it felt farther away.

It causes seismic waves to travel faster, reducing overall shaking.

It attenuates seismic waves, leading to less intense shaking.

It increases the amplitude of seismic waves and prolongs shaking, leading to more intense effects.

It prevents seismic waves from bouncing, reducing damage to buildings.