How does distance from the epicenter affect the magnitude of the seismograph reading?

Distance from the epicenter affects the magnitude of the seismograph reading because seismic waves attenuate as they travel through the Earth's layers. As the distance increases, the amplitude of the waves decreases, leading to lower readings on the seismograph. Therefore, seismographs located closer to the epicenter typically record higher magnitudes compared to those farther away. This distance-related attenuation is critical for accurately determining the earthquake's strength and location.