Although Canada isn’t known as the earthquake capital of the world, seismic activity happens regularly – but how is it measured?
– Each year Canada is hit with several earthquakes although most are too minimal to experience and cause no risk or danger.
– In order to measure an earthquake, Natural Resources Canada uses a seismograph and evaluates the results through a measurement system called the Richter scale.
– A seismograph is the device that measures the “waves” or “shakes” that are felt in the ground, as well as the duration of the shake. If you’d like to see what a seismograph reading looks like, take a look at Natural Resources Canada seismogram viewer here.
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– Based on the intensity and duration of the shake, earthquakes are categorized based on their level of severity and magnitude.
– Invented in 1934, the Richter scale is a measurement system that evaluates the magnitude of an earthquake.
– The magnitude determines the energy of the earthquake and is recorded through numerical values, ranging from 1-10.
– Magnitudes higher that 5.0-5.9 are of a severity scale considered by most seismologists to be cause for concern.
-Earthquakes that reach this severity often cause severe damage that can take years to repair.
– The strongest earthquake in the world occurred in Chile on May 22, 1960 with a magnitude of 9.5; the strongest in Canada happened in British Columbia on January 26, 1700 with a magnitude of 9.0.
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