An earthquake is the shaking of earth’s surface due to a sudden release of energy that creates seismic waves. These tremors can be light in nature, not to be able to be felt by the population or could be as massive as to destroy the epicenter and adjoining cities.
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An earthquake is measured by both magnitudes as well as by intensity and both measure diverse characteristics of the temblor. The energy at the source of the quake is measured by a magnitude which is determined from seismographs. The strength of the earthquake shaking the earth’s surface and its effects on life and property are made out from the intensity.
The table below depicts a better understanding of magnitude, intensity and the effects of the shake:
Earthquakes are also classified in categories from minor to great. Wherein, a shock measured at a magnitude of 3 or lesser is considered as Minor, from 4-4.9 is light, from 5 to 5.9 is moderate, from 6 to 6.9 is strong, from 7-7.9 is major and an earthquake measuring more than 8 on Richter scale is considered to be great.
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Image Credit: National Geographic Kids
Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com
