The Magnitude Scale is a system used to measure the strength of earthquakes. It quantifies the amount of energy released during an earthquake, providing a numerical value that helps scientists and the public understand its severity. The scale typically ranges from 0 to 10, with each whole number increase representing a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release. Developed by Charles F. Richter in 1935, the original scale has since been refined and expanded into various scales, including the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw). This modern scale is more accurate for measuring larger earthquakes and is widely used by seismologists today.