The Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. Developed by Charles F. Richter in 1935, it quantifies the energy released during an earthquake. The scale is logarithmic, meaning that each whole number increase represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release. While the Richter scale is still popularly referenced, modern seismology often uses the moment magnitude scale (Mw) for more accuracy, especially for large earthquakes. The Richter scale has helped to understand the potential impact of earthquakes on people and infrastructure, facilitating better preparedness and response.