What is another way of measuring earthquakes other than the richter scale and how does it work

Just curious

modified mercalli scale.It is a primary source that seismologists use.They ask people who were in the earthquake area how bad it was.Example man/woman was asked how bad it was and s/he says the building was swaying ask another man/woman s/he says building collapsed.It was measured from 1-9 but was modified and is now 1-12