The Richter Scale, developed in 1935, revolutionised the way we measure earthquakes. Developed by US seismologist Charles F. Richter, the scale is used to describe the amplitude of the largest single ground wave of earthquakes.
Before the Richter Scale, earthquake intensity was gauged through subjective observations, often leading to inconsistent results. Richter aimed to create a more objective method by quantifying seismic energy using a mathematical approach.
Richter, working with Beno Gutenberg at the California Institute of Technology, introduced the scale based on logarithmic calculations. They linked seismic wave amplitude to earthquake magnitude, ensuring that each whole number increase represented a tenfold increase in wave amplitude.
The Richter Scale measures seismic waves recorded by seismographs. The magnitude, ranging from 1 to 10, is calculated based on the logarithm of the largest amplitude wave, making it a powerful tool to understand the intensity of a quake.
Earthquakes range in intensity — from barely noticeable to highly destructive. Earthquakes with a magnitude below 2.0 are often undetectable, while those above 8.0 are considered catastrophic, causing widespread devastation.
The Richter Scale was designed so that each step represents a tenfold increase in shaking compared to the previous level. For instance, a 4.0 earthquake is ten times stronger than a 3.0 quake. This pattern continues consistently across the scale.
The Richter Scale's accuracy declines for very large earthquakes. In the late 20th century, the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw) largely replaced it for more consistent results, especially for major quakes. However, the Richter Scale remains widely recognised.
The Richter Scale's introduction marked a turning point in seismology. Even with newer methods available, it remains a familiar term in discussions of seismic activity, reflecting its lasting significance in scientific history.
Many people mistakenly believe that the Richter Scale can predict earthquakes or that it is still the main method used today. However, its original purpose was only to measure the magnitude of earthquakes after they occurred.