Earthquake Magnitude - John Seach

john

Magnitude is measure of the strength of an earthquake or strain energy released by it, as determined by seismographic observations. This is a logarithmic value originally defined by Charles Richter (1935). An increase of one unit of magnitude (for example, from 4.6 to 5.6) represents a 10-fold increase in wave amplitude on a seismogram or approximately a 30-fold increase in the energy released. In other words, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake releases over 900 times (30 times 30) the energy of a 4.7 earthquake - or it takes about 900 magnitude 4.7 earthquakes to equal the energy released in a single 6.7 earthquake! There is no beginning nor end to this scale. However, rock mechanics seems to preclude earthquakes smaller than about -1 or larger than about 9.5. A magnitude -1.0 event release about 900 times less energy than a magnitude 1.0 quake. Except in special circumstances, earthquakes below magnitude 2.5 are not generally felt by humans.

Magnitude
(Richter Scale)

Effects

Number per year

less than 2

Not felt by humans. Recorded by instruments only.

Numerous

2-3

Felt only by the most sensitive. Suspended objects swing

300,000

3-4

Felt by some people. Vibration like a passing heavy vehicle

49,000

4-5

Felt by most people. Hanging objects swing. Dishes and windows rattle and may break

 6,200

5-6

Felt by all; people frightened. Chimneys topple; furniture moves

800

6-7

Some panic. Buildings may suffer substantial damage

120

7-8

Widespread panic. Few buildings remain standing. Large landslides; fissures in ground

18

8-9

Ground waves, devastation

1

9 and over

Complete devastation

About every 20-40 years