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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
For Students
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.
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VAN, TURKEY - OCTOBER 25: A building and car ruined during the earthquake of Van-Ercis on October 25, 2011 in Van, Turkey. It is 604 killed and 4152 injured in Van-Ercis Earthquake.
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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