What do scientists use to measure the intensity of a tornado?

Scientists measure the intensity of a tornado using the Enhanced Fujita scale. This scale categorizes tornadoes based on the damage they cause to buildings and vegetation. It ranges from EF0, representing light damage, to EF5, indicating incredible damage with winds exceeding 200 mph. The Enhanced Fujita scale specifically takes into account various building types and typical damage patterns, allowing for a more accurate assessment of a tornado’s strength compared to older systems.

The other scales mentioned are designed for different types of natural phenomena. The Richter scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes, while the Beaufort scale assesses wind speed and the effects of wind on land and sea conditions. The Saffir-Simpson scale is used for categorizing hurricanes based on sustained wind speeds and their potential damage. Each of these scales serves specific purposes in meteorology and related fields, but none are applicable to the measurement of tornado intensity like the Enhanced Fujita scale.