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Richter scale
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Anderson-Wood torsion pendulum seismograph
The video thumbnail image shows a woman trying to break a bundle of pasta strands as part of a scientific demonstration.
How the Richter scale measures earthquakes
seismograph data
Learn how the Richter scale measures magnitude and the Mercalli scale measures intensity of an earthquake
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Richter scale summary
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In this aerial photo, structures are damaged and destroyed October 15, 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan. It is estimated that 90% of the city of Balakot was leveled by the earthquake. The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 is believed to be 38,000 with at least 1,300 more dead in Indian Kashmir. SEE CONTENT NOTES.
6 of the World’s Deadliest Natural Disasters
earthquake. Heavily damaged school in the town of Yingxiu after a major earthquake struck China's Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008.
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Richter scale: Related Content

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Photos and Videos

Anderson-Wood torsion pendulum seismograph
seismograph data
The video thumbnail image shows a woman trying to break a bundle of pasta strands as part of a scientific demonstration.
How the Richter scale measures earthquakes
Learn how the Richter scale measures magnitude and the Mercalli scale measures intensity of an earthquake
See All Videos and Images →

Related Topics and References

Topics

Key People

Richter, Charles F.
Charles F. Richter
American physicist
Beno Gutenberg
American seismologist

Related Quizzes and Features

Quiz
rain. Child in the rain, wearing a rain coat, under a yellow umbrella. April Showers weather climate rain storm water drops
April Showers to March’s Lions and Lambs
List
In this aerial photo, structures are damaged and destroyed October 15, 2005 in Balakot, Pakistan. It is estimated that 90% of the city of Balakot was leveled by the earthquake. The death toll in the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005 is believed to be 38,000 with at least 1,300 more dead in Indian Kashmir. SEE CONTENT NOTES.
6 of the World’s Deadliest Natural Disasters