To measure earthquakes, we use the Richter scale. The Richter Scale measures how big earthquakes are and was created by Charles Francis Richter. The Richter scale is used to rate the magnitude of an earthquake -- the amount of energy it released. This is calculated using information gathered by a seismograph. The Richter scale is logarithmic, meaning that whole-number jumps indicate a tenfold increase. In this case, the increase is in wave amplitude. To use the Richter Scale, we have to attach a pencil to a pendulum. Therefore, if there is more movement, it allows the pendulum to shake more which makes the pencil write more on the seismograph. Once a magnitude of 6 on the Richter scale is reached, the earthquake can cause major damage to the buildings, etc.