Earthquake magnitude

Earthquake magnitude measures the energy released during an earthquake, indicating its size or strength. The most common scale used is the Richter scale, which assigns a single number to quantify the quake's intensity based on seismic wave amplitude. Each whole number increase represents ten times more ground shaking and roughly 31.6 times more energy release. For example, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake is much stronger than a 4.0. Scientists also use the moment magnitude scale (Mw) for larger quakes, providing a more accurate assessment. Understanding magnitude helps gauge potential damage and informs public safety responses.