Hi Donald. The Richter scale is still being used. As far as I know the University of Berkeley uses it. We know it as the local magnitude scale. The word magnitude means A measure of the amount of energy released by an earthquake, as indicated on the Richter Scale, or what ever scale you’re using.

The Richter scale is a standard scale used to compare earthquakes. It is a logarithmic scale, meaning that the numbers on the scale measure factors of 10. So, for example, an earthquake that measures 4.0 on the Richter scale is 10 times larger than one that measures 3.0. On the Richter scale, anything below 2.0 is undetectable to a normal person and is called a microquake. Microquakes occur constantly. Moderate earthquakes measure less than 6.0 or so on the Richter scale. Earthquakes measuring more than 6.0 can cause significant damage. The maximum quake rating ever measured is about 8.9.

These are some of the scales being used in the US.

The Richter Scale, also called the Local Magnitude Scale, and abbreviated ML.

The body wave magnitude scale, abbreviated mb.

The surface wave magnitude scale, abbreviated Ms.

The moment magnitude scale, abbreviated Mw.

The duration magnitude scale, abbreviated Md. USGS uses this one quite a bit as well as the ML scale. Not sure why they use the two scales except that the ML scale appears to be used when the quake is smaller then M>2.0.

With the various scales being used it can get a little confusing as to the magnitude of a given quake. For instance the 1964 Alaskan quake got real confusing in regards to its magnitude. The problem being is that most people didn’t recognize the scale being used.

1964.03.28 Prince William Sound, Alaska 7.9Mb, 8.4Ms, 9.2Mw. These are all the same quake. Just a different scale. Take Care…Don in creepy town