Final answer:
The Richter scale measures the energy released by an earthquake, while the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale measures the effects of an earthquake at specific locations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Richter scale and the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale are both used to measure earthquakes, but they are different in terms of what they measure and how they are calculated.
The Richter scale measures the energy released by an earthquake, which is determined by the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by seismographs. The Richter scale uses a logarithmic scale, where each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy. For example, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.0 releases about 31.6 times more energy than one with a magnitude of 4.0.
The Modified Mercalli Intensity scale, on the other hand, measures the effects of an earthquake at specific locations. It assesses the level of shaking and damage caused by an earthquake based on observed effects on people, buildings, and the environment. The scale ranges from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction).