How to use the earthquake magnitude comparison calculator
Compare the amplitude and energy of two earthquakes. Enter magnitude 1, magnitude 2 in the fields above; the amplitude ratio, energy ratio are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Formula
Variables
- m1 — Magnitude 1
- m2 — Magnitude 2
Worked example
With magnitude 1 = 7.0, magnitude 2 = 5.5, the calculator gives amplitude ratio ≈ 31.62278; energy ratio ≈ 177.8279.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the earthquake magnitude comparison calculation?
Amplitude ratio = 10^(m1-m2). Energy ratio = 10^(1.5 × (m1-m2)). Here m1 is magnitude 1, m2 is magnitude 2.
What inputs do I need for the earthquake magnitude comparison calculator?
You need magnitude 1, magnitude 2. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use this calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.