Effects of Earthquakes

Earthquakes are described based on intensity and magnitude.

Intensity
Intensity refers to the strength of an earthquake and its corresponding impossible effects on people, structures, and the environment. It indicates the observable destruction of the earthquake in a specific location relative to its distance from the origin. An intensity scale or Mercalli scale, which was developed by Italian volcanologist Giuseppe Mercalli in 1902, lists the effects of an earthquake in relation to its intensity.

Magnitude
Magnitude is the amount of energy released at the focus or origin of the earthquake. Magnitude is measured by using an instrument called seismograph, which records not only the strength but also the time of occurrence and direction of an earthquake. The scale used to measure magnitude is called the Richter scale. It was developed in 1935 by American seismologist and physicist Charles Francis Richter.