Earthquake Calculator: Energy, Magnitude & Intensity

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Single mode: enter one magnitude and get energy equivalents. Compare mode: enter two magnitudes and get their ratios. Seismograph mode: enter amplitude and distance correction to compute local Richter magnitude.
Moment magnitude (Mw) or Richter local magnitude (ML). The two scales agree closely up to about M 6.5. Enter values from 0 to 10.
Energy releasedIX - Violent
354.81 TJ (3.55e+14 J)

Total seismic energy using Gutenberg-Richter relation: log E = 4.8 + 1.5M

TNT equivalent84.80 kt
Hiroshima bombs5.63x
Tsar Bomba multiples1/5.9e+2
Fraction of 1960 Chile quake1/31622.8
Mercalli intensity (surface, near epicenter)IX - Violent

M6.5 earthquake energy breakdown

  • A M6.5 earthquake releases approximately 354.81 TJ (3.55e+14 J).
  • That energy equals about 84.80 kt of TNT.
  • Near the epicenter, shaking is expected at Modified Mercalli level: IX - Violent.
  • M 6.0-6.9 earthquakes are strong - they can cause severe damage near the epicenter but are typically localized.

Next stepEnergy alone does not determine damage: depth, proximity, soil type, and local building codes all play major roles.

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