Final answer:
The seriousness of an asteroid collision is assessed using the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, which combines both the probability of impact and the potential damage to determine a threat value.
Step-by-step explanation:
The seriousness of an asteroid collision is gauged by the Torino Impact Hazard Scale. The Torino scale is specifically designed to categorize the impact hazard associated with near-Earth objects such as asteroids and comets. This scale is a valuable communication tool that helps astronomers and the general public gauge the seriousness of collision predictions by combining probability statistics with the kinetic damage potential of an object to assign a single threat value. On the other hand, the Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes, quantifying the energy released by seismic events with recordings like 2.3, 4.0, 6.1, and 7.0. These numbers represent a logarithmic scale where each whole number increment indicates a tenfold increase in amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release. Meanwhile, the Beaufort scale measures wind speed, and the Mohs scale determines the hardness of minerals by their resistance to scratching.