10
QuizMultiple Choice

Earthquakes and Seismic Waves

Question 10 • WV-Earth and Space Science A-CR

Which scale would most likely be used to tell how much earthquake damage was done to homes and other buildings?

Answer
A
the Richter scale
B
the Mercalli scale
C
the moment magnitude scale
D
the seismic scale

Explanation

The Mercalli scale describes an earthquake’s intensity based on its observed effects, including damage to homes and other buildings. The Richter scale and moment magnitude scale measure an earthquake’s size or energy, not the damage at a particular place. So the correct choice is the Mercalli scale.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.