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How much energy does an earthquake release?

The energy an earthquake of a given magnitude radiates, in joules and in tonnes of TNT, and how it compares with another magnitude.

Moment magnitude, the scale used for large earthquakes. From −2 to 10.5.

Leave it empty for the energy alone. From −2 to 10.5.

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Energy radiated

2.0 × 109 J

A magnitude 3 earthquake radiates about 2.0 × 109 J, as much as 0.48 t TNT.

The same energy as
0.48 t TNT

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How it is worked out

log10(E[J]) = 1.5*M + 4.8tonnes = E/4.184e9

Where the numbers come from

Keep in mind

Magnitude carries ±0.1-0.3, so energy is uncertain by ~1.4-3×. This is radiated seismic energy only, a small fraction of the total; TNT equivalence is a convention.

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https://clipwright.studio/tools/earthquake-energy?magnitude=3

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