Question

The scale measuring the intensity of an earthquake is _______.
1. Richter scale
2. Monometer
3. Mercalli scale
4. Bernoli scale

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Mercalli scale

The correct answer is the Mercalli scale.

• The Mercalli scale describes the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects, the Richter scale describes the earthquake's magnitude by measuring the seismic waves that cause the earthquake.

• An earthquake is known as a quake, tremor or temblor. It is ​a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves.
• There are three types of earthquake waves:
  • P waves or longitudinal waves
  • S waves or transverse waves
  • L waves or surface waves
• An earthquake is measured with a machine called a seismograph. 
• The magnitude of the earthquake is measured on the Richter scale.
  • Charles F. Richter developed the Richter Scale in 1935.
• The intensity scale is named after Mercalli, an Italian seismologist.
  The intensity scale takes into account the visible damage caused by the event.
  The range of intensity scale is from 1-12.

• The Richter scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes, and the Mercalli scale measures their intensity.