Magnitude differs from intensity because magnitude measures:

Energy released at the focus, whereas intensity measures effects at a place

Damage at a place, whereas intensity measures energy

Distance to the epicentre, whereas intensity measures depth

Duration of shaking, whereas intensity measures frequency

Which statement is true?

Magnitude has one value per earthquake; intensity varies from place to place

Intensity has one value per earthquake; magnitude varies with place

Neither depends on the earthquake

Which scales are used?

Magnitude: Richter (logarithmic); intensity: Modified Mercalli (I to XII)

Magnitude: Mohs; intensity: Richter

Magnitude: Mercalli; intensity: Richter

Magnitude: Mercalli; intensity: Mohs

2063 Baisakh (old course) · 2 marks

Magnitude versus intensity of earthquake

Short answer

Magnitude is a single instrumental measure of energy released at the focus (Richter scale). Intensity is a descriptive measure of damage and felt effects at a location (Mercalli scale), decreasing with distance from the epicentre.

Differentiate between magnitude and intensity of earthquake.

Basis	Magnitude	Intensity
Meaning	Energy released at the focus	Effects and damage at a place
Basis of measurement	Seismograph record	Observed effects on people, buildings, ground
Scale	Richter (logarithmic), open-ended	Modified Mercalli, I to XII
Value per earthquake	One value	Different at different places
Depends on distance	No	Yes, decreases with distance
Nature	Objective, instrumental	Subjective, descriptive
Example	Gorkha 2015: about 7.8	Epicentral area: about IX-X

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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