The Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS) is a modern method used to measure the size of earthquakes. It calculates the total energy released during an earthquake by analyzing the seismic waves produced. This scale is more accurate than older methods, especially for large earthquakes, and provides a consistent way to compare different seismic events.
The MMS is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release. This scale is widely used by seismologists and is essential for understanding the impact of earthquakes on communities and infrastructure.