What does the Richter Scale measure?

The Richter Scale measures the strength of earthquakes, specifically quantifying the amount of energy released during seismic events. This scale was developed in the 1930s by Charles F. Richter and is logarithmic in nature, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.

By focusing specifically on the seismic waves produced by an earthquake, the Richter Scale provides a standardized method for comparing the magnitudes of different earthquakes, which helps in assessing their potential impact and the response needed for emergency management. This is crucial for understanding geological activity and for informing public safety measures.