Which natural disaster is measured using the Richter scale?

The Richter scale is specifically designed to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. This scale quantifies the amount of seismic energy released during an earthquake, allowing scientists and emergency responders to assess its strength and potential impact. Earthquakes generate seismic waves that can be detected by instruments, and the Richter scale provides a numerical value representing that energy release.

In contrast, other natural disasters such as tsunamis, floods, and hurricanes use different measurement systems. A tsunami is a series of ocean waves caused primarily by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, not measured by the Richter scale. Flooding is gauged using methods that assess water level and flow, while hurricanes are classified using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures wind speed categories rather than seismic activity.