The statement that best explains the situation is:
Magnitude measures the energy released by the earthquake, while intensity measures the amount of damage.
Magnitude refers to the total energy released during the earthquake and is a single value that does not depend on where the measurement is taken. Intensity, on the other hand, measures the effects of the earthquake at specific locations, which includes the level of damage experienced by buildings and the sensation felt by people. Therefore, it is possible to have a high magnitude earthquake that causes low intensity if it occurs deep underground or in a remote area with little infrastructure.