Answer:
Energy released
Step-by-step explanation:
The moment magnitude scale (Mw) is a logarithmic measure of an earthquake's magnitude, which is a measure of the total energy released during the earthquake. Mw is based on the seismic moment, which is a measure of the amount of work done by the earthquake. The seismic moment is calculated from the rupture area, the average slip, and the rigidity of the rock.
The other options are incorrect:
- damage: The amount of damage caused by an earthquake depends on many factors, including the magnitude, the location, the depth, and the local geology.
- location: The location of an earthquake can be determined using seismographs, which measure the ground motion caused by the earthquake waves.
- wave strength: The strength of earthquake waves depends on the magnitude of the earthquake and the distance from the earthquake.
Therefore, the only factor that the moment magnitude scale estimates is the energy released.