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QuizMultiple Choice

Earthquakes

Question 1 • DRHS GA-GSE Earth Systems

Which statement describes the Richter scale?

Answer
A
It cannot account for fault movement during an earthquake.
B
It measures large earthquakes far from the seismograph.
C
It estimates the total energy released from an earthquake.
D
It measures magnitude based on the size of seismic waves.

Explanation

The Richter scale determines an earthquake’s magnitude from the size, or amplitude, of seismic waves recorded by a seismograph. It does not directly estimate the total energy released; that is more closely described by the moment magnitude scale. Therefore, “It measures magnitude based on the size of seismic waves” is correct.

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