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Levels of measurement refer to the different ways in which variables can be categorized and quantified. The four primary levels are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Each level has distinct characteristics, with nominal being the simplest (categorical data) and ratio being the most complex (includes a true zero point). Understanding these levels is crucial for determining appropriate statistical analyses.

The ratio level of measurement is characterized by the presence of a true zero point, allowing for the comparison of absolute magnitudes. In this level, both differences and ratios between values are meaningful. For example, in measuring earthquake depths, a depth of 0 km indicates the absence of depth, making it a ratio measurement, as one can say that a depth of 10 km is twice as deep as 5 km.

The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes. It quantifies the energy released at the source of the earthquake, with each whole number increase on the scale representing a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy release. Understanding the Richter scale is essential for interpreting earthquake data, including magnitudes and their implications for depth measurements.