Final answer:
The Richter scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes, with the US Geological Survey providing a map to track seismic activity. The number and magnitude of recent earthquakes over 2.5 on the Richter scale in the United States can be found on their interactive map.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Richter scale is an indicator that quantifies the energy produced by an earthquake, resulting in numbers like 2.3, 4.0, 6.1, or 7.0.
These figures are considered to be examples of seismic data, representing the magnitude of earthquakes.
The US Geological Survey provides a resource for observing recent seismic activity, displaying a map where users can find the location and magnitude of earthquakes, especially those above a magnitude of 2.5.
Earthquakes significant enough to be measured on the Richter scale, particularly those above 2.5, are not only relevant to geologists but also to engineers, planners, and the general public due to their potential to cause significant damage and aftershocks.
To find out the number of earthquakes over a 2.5 on the Richter scale in the last 24 hours that have happened in the United States, and to examine their magnitudes, one would visit the map provided by the US Geological Survey and click on the relevant dots indicating recent seismic events.