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Earthquake Magnitude Energy Comparison

See how a small magnitude difference becomes a much larger energy ratio.

Two fault ruptures at the same scale send compact and much broader seismic wave fields through one shared landscape.

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Approximate energy ratio

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Explanation

The moment-magnitude scale is logarithmic. Each increase of one magnitude corresponds to about 31.6 times more energy release.

How it works

Uses the standard approximation 10 raised to 1.5 times the magnitude difference.

Example

A magnitude 7 earthquake releases about 31.6 times the energy of a magnitude 6 earthquake.

Limitations

  • Educational comparison only.
  • Does not predict shaking, damage, depth, duration or local intensity.
  • Magnitude estimates themselves may be revised.

Privacy note

Both magnitude values stay in your browser.