Which type of scale is used to measure the intensity of an earthquake?

The Richter Scale is used to measure the intensity of an earthquake by quantifying the amount of seismic energy released at the source of the earthquake. Developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter, this scale employs a logarithmic logarithm to indicate how much stronger one earthquake is compared to another. For example, an earthquake that measures 6.0 on the Richter scale releases over 31 times more energy compared to one that measures 5.0.

This scale is primarily concerned with the measurements taken from seismographs, which capture the vibrations caused by seismic waves. As such, it provides a single number that represents the earthquake's magnitude, making it an essential tool for scientists and engineers in assessing earthquakes' strength and potential impacts.

While the other scales mentioned serve different purposes, they don't measure earthquake intensity in the same way. The Fujita Scale specifically assesses tornado damage, the Beaufort Scale gauges wind speeds, and the Mercalli Scale evaluates the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects and the people's feelings rather than seismic measurements. Therefore, the Richter Scale is the correct choice for measuring the intensity of earthquakes.