花蓮地震頻傳；該如何區分芮氏規模與震度分級？
近期地震頻傳，你知道芮氏規模和震度是不一樣的嗎？從基本概念開始，今天要帶大家了解地震的芮氏規模分級之間的關係，並提供一些有效的預防地震災害的策略，在學習英語的同時，也讓你能夠更好地應對地震的威脅，保護自己和家人的安全哦！
什麼是芮氏規模？
The Richter Scale is a measure of the magnitude of an earthquake. It is typically expressed as a decimal ranging from 1.0 to 9.0. The higher the Richter Scale value, the greater the energy released by the earthquake. Developed by seismologist Charles F. Richter in 1935, it is calculated based on the seismic records and the amplitude of seismic waves generated by the earthquake.
芮氏規模是一種衡量地震能量大小的指標。通常以小數點表示，從1.0到9.0不等。芮氏規模越高，表示地震的能量越大。這個指標是由地震學家Charles F. Richter在1935年提出的，它是根據地震產生的地動記錄和地震波振幅來計算的。
芮氏規模分級
1.0-3.0｜Typically detectable only by seismographs.
通常只能被地震儀檢測到
3.0-3.9｜Generally not felt by people but detectable by seismographs.
一般人感覺不到，但地震儀可以檢測到
4.0-4.9｜May be felt by people but usually does not cause significant damage.
可能會被人感覺到，但一般不會造成重大破壞
5.0-5.9｜Causes minor damage, such as slight damage to buildings.
會造成輕微破壞，如建築物輕微損壞
6.0-6.9｜May cause moderate damage, such as structural damage to houses.
可能會造成中等程度的破壞，如房屋結構受損
7.0-7.9｜May cause severe damage, such as building collapse.
可能會造成嚴重破壞，如建築物倒塌
8.0 ≦ ｜Causes catastrophic damage, with long-term impact on the region.
造成毀滅性破壞，對地區產生長期影響
震度又是什麼呢？
Seismic intensity, on the other hand, is an indicator of the impact of an earthquake on the Earth's surface and man-made structures. It is represented by Roman numerals ranging from I to XII. A higher seismic intensity indicates a greater impact of the earthquake on the Earth's surface and buildings. This indicator is typically assessed based on people's perception of the earthquake and the degree of damage to buildings.
地震震度則是描述地震對地表和人造結構的影響程度的指標。它使用羅馬數字表示，從I到XII等級不等。地震震度越高，表示地震對地表和建築物造成的影響越大。這個指標通常是根據人們對地震的感受和建築物的損壞程度來評估的。
地震規模分級
1級｜Basically unaffected, hardly noticeable.
基本上不受影響幾乎感覺不到
2級｜Possibly slight shaking, buildings won't be damaged, some people may feel it but not significantly.
可能只有少量的震動、建築物不會受損，有些人能感覺到但不明顯
3級｜General buildings won't be damaged, indoor items may shake, most people can feel it but not panic.
一般建築物不受損、室內的物品會搖晃，大多數人能感覺到但不驚恐
4級｜Some buildings may suffer minor damage, such as cracks in brick walls, most people feel obvious shaking.
部分建築物可能會受到輕微損壞、如磚牆出現裂縫，大多數人感到明顯地震動
5弱｜Some buildings may suffer moderate damage, most people will feel panic and fear.
一些建築物可能會受到中等程度的損壞，大多數人會感到恐慌和驚恐
5強｜Most buildings may suffer severe damage, partial collapse, most people will have difficulty standing.
大部分建築物可能會受到嚴重損壞、出現部分倒塌，大多數人會難以站立
6弱｜Most buildings may suffer severe damage, collapse, most people will have difficulty escaping.
大多數建築物會受到嚴重破壞、出現倒塌，大多數人難以逃生
6強｜Most buildings will collapse, leading to catastrophic consequences.
大多數建築物會倒塌、導致災難性後果
芮氏規模與地震震度的差異
簡單來說，芮氏規模主要用於衡量地震的能量大小，而地震震度則主要用於描述地震對地表和建築物的影響程度哦！
在台灣歷史上，曾經發生過許多重大地震事件，其中包括1999年9月21日發生的921大地震，芮氏規模達到7.3。近期一次地震則是2024年4月3日發生在花蓮的地震，芮氏規模達到7.2。台灣身處地震帶上，遇到災害時記得趴下、掩護、穩住。保持冷靜迅速找到適當的避難位置，以減少受傷的風險，保護自己和他人的生命安全。
