Estimated energy released by an earthquake, by magnitude
Each whole step in magnitude multiplies the energy by 28, and two steps by 759: a magnitude 9 quake releases 1.6 million terajoules.
What does this axis measure?
Energy released (terajoules)
What does this axis measure?
Magnitude
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The data: 21 points
| Magnitude | Energy released (terajoules) |
|---|---|
| 4 | 0.1 |
| 4.25 | 0.229 |
| 4.5 | 0.525 |
| 4.75 | 1.2 |
| 5 | 2.75 |
| 5.25 | 6.31 |
| 5.5 | 14.5 |
| 5.75 | 33.1 |
| 6 | 75.9 |
| 6.25 | 174 |
| 6.5 | 398 |
| 6.75 | 912 |
| 7 | 2,090 |
| 7.25 | 4,790 |
| 7.5 | 11,000 |
| 7.75 | 25,100 |
| 8 | 57,500 |
| 8.25 | 132,000 |
| 8.5 | 302,000 |
| 8.75 | 692,000 |
| 9 | 1,580,000 |
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