What does the Richter scale measure?

The Richter scale is specifically designed to measure the intensity of earthquakes. It quantifies the amount of energy released at the source of the earthquake, providing a numerical value that represents its strength. This scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale corresponds to a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and roughly 31.6 times more energy release. This allows scientists and seismologists to compare the magnitudes of different earthquakes effectively and understand their potential impact on areas affected.

Understanding the Richter scale's focus on seismic events clarifies its distinction from scales measuring other phenomena, such as wind speed, atmospheric pressure, or temperature changes, which are entirely unrelated to geological activity.