What natural phenomenon is measured by the Richter scale?

The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. Developed in the 1930s by Charles F. Richter, it quantifies the amount of energy released during an earthquake. Each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and roughly 31.6 times more energy release. This makes the Richter scale specifically relevant to understanding and comparing the sizes of earthquakes, as it provides a way to communicate the severity and potential impact of seismic events.

In contrast, tsunamis are measured by different scales that quantify their wave height and impact, tornadoes are rated based on damage using the Enhanced Fujita scale, and floods are assessed through hydrological data rather than a magnitude scale like the Richter scale. Thus, the connection between the Richter scale and earthquakes specifically distinguishes it as the correct answer.