👉 Earthquake magnitude is quantified using the Richter scale, which measures the energy released by an earthquake based on the amplitude of seismic waves recorded on seismographs. The formula for calculating magnitude (M) is \( M = \log_{10}(A) - \log_{10}(A_0) \), where \( A \) is the maximum amplitude of the seismic waves recorded, and \( A_0 \) is a reference amplitude, typically set at 1 micrometer. This logarithmic scale means each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and roughly 31.6 times more energy release. However, for very large earthquakes, the moment magnitude scale (Mw) is used, which accounts for the total energy released by the earthquake and provides a more accurate measure over larger scales. The math behind these scales helps scientists quantify and compare the intensity of earthquakes, crucial for assessing potential damage and informing emergency response strategies.
