Earthquake magnitude classification

Earthquake magnitude classification measures the energy released during an earthquake, with the most common scale being the Richter scale. This scale is logarithmic, meaning each whole number increase represents roughly a tenfold increase in amplitude of seismic waves. For example, a magnitude 5 quake is ten times stronger than a magnitude 4. Minor quakes (below 4.0) often go unnoticed, while moderate ones (4.0–6.0) can cause damage. Major quakes (above 7.0) are powerful and can cause significant destruction over large areas. This classification helps assess the potential impact and guide response efforts.