Measuring and comparing earthquakes using the
Mercalli and Richter scales
The Mercalli scale records
intensity of an earthquake
measuring
the
effects
of
earthquake.
the
by
an
The Richter scale assigns a number
to indicate the amount of energy
released during an earthquake.
Seismograph courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey
Since the mid-20th century, the
Richter scale has been largely replaced by the Moment magnitude scale but the press and
media still generally refer to this as the Richter scale.
Student tasks
Watch each clip of earthquake activity from the list below.
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4mFh-I1Epc
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9kR9T9wZsM&NR=1
3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12722105
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXnp4a1t6y8&feature=related
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyC9b_W8sZA
Give each clip the correct value on both the Mercalli and the Richter scales to complete
the table below:
Earthquake clip
Mercalli Scale
Richter scale
I – XII
1 – 10
1
2
3
4
5
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Measuring and comparing earthquakes using the
Mercalli and Richter scales
Teaching notes
Copies of the Mercalli and Richter scales are available at:
Mercalli:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mercalli.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercalli_intensity_scale
Richter:
http://schools.matter.org.uk/content/Seismology/richterscale.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_magnitude_scale
Mercalli Scale
Richter scale
I – XII
1 – 10
1
VI
4–5
2
VIII – IX
6
3
X
Approximately
7–8
4
XI
8–9
5
III
Approximately 3
Earthquake clip
Possible extension activities
Students could be asked:
 which scale they found easiest to use.
 to describe two differences between the Mercalli and Richter scales.
 provide a commentary for one or more of the video clips.
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