Which measure evaluates how an earthquake is felt and its damage effects on human structures?

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The measure that evaluates how an earthquake is felt and the damage it causes to human structures is intensity. Intensity assessments focus on the human perception of shaking and the local effects on buildings, infrastructure, and the environment. This can vary greatly depending on several factors, including the distance from the earthquake's epicenter, the geological conditions, and the types of structures present in the area.

Intensity is commonly represented on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which categorizes the effects of an earthquake from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction). This scale allows for a qualitative, descriptive approach to understanding the earthquake's impact on people and property in specific locations.

Magnitude, on the other hand, measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, typically determined from seismic data and provides a single value that does not account for local effects. Local magnitude is a specific type of magnitude measurement. Seismic risk involves evaluating the potential consequences of an earthquake, such as loss of life and damage, typically based on historical data and geological assessments, rather than the immediate felt effects or damage assessment from a specific event.

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