In fact, the Richter scale was replaced in the 1970s by other ... with German-American seismologist Beno Gutenberg — to measure the size of earthquakes occurring in southern California.

Another scale is based on the physical size of the earthquake fault and the amount of slip that occurred. Then there are also measures of earthquake shaking intensity. The intensity from one ...

Understanding Earthquake Magnitudes An earthquake’s magnitude is a measure of the energy released during the event. The Richter scale, commonly referenced in media reports, quantifies this energy on a ...

The quake was initially recorded at 7 magnitude which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) off the southwest tip of the South Island, the USGS said.

The largest earthquake ever recorded was in Chile in 1960, it measured 9.5 on the Richter scale.

Earthquake Magnitude Scale Magnitude Earthquake Effects Estimated Number Each Year 2.5 or less Usually not felt, but can be recorded by seismograph. Millions 2.5 to 5.4 Often felt, but only causes ...

Just as seismologists measure the size of an earthquake using the Richter scale, volcanologists use an eruption magnitude scale called the Volcanic Explosivity Index, or VEI to classify eruptions.