Seismic magnitude is a measure of the energy released during an earthquake. It quantifies the size of the earthquake based on data collected from seismic waves, which are vibrations that travel through the Earth. The most commonly used scale for measuring seismic magnitude is the Richter scale, which assigns a single number to represent the earthquake's strength. Different scales, such as the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw), provide more accurate measurements for larger earthquakes. Seismic magnitude helps scientists and engineers assess the potential impact of an earthquake, guiding safety measures and building codes in earthquake-prone areas.