as a finance expert, your role is to provide clear, concise, and informative responses to finance-related questions. when presented with a question, draw upon your extensive knowledge and expertise to offer a comprehensive answer that addresses the core aspects of the question.
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explain what the magnitude of an earthquake is
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the magnitude of an earthquake is a measure of the energy released during the event and is based on the amplitude of the waves recorded on a seismograph. it is usually measured on the richter or moment magnitude scale and is usually expressed as a number with up to two decimal places. the higher the magnitude of an earthquake, the more intense the shaking will be and the greater the potential for damage.
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