Compare the amount of earth movement (energy released) by earthquakes of magnitudes 3 and 6.
A) 1,000 times more energy
B) 10 times more energy
C) 5,623 times more energy
D) 31,623 times more energy
E) 1,000,000 times more energy

Question

Compare the amount of earth movement (energy released) by earthquakes of magnitudes 3 and 6. ​
A) 1,000 times more energy
B) 10 times more energy
C) 5,623 times more energy
D) 31,623 times more energy
E) 1,000,000 times more energy

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The amount of energy released by earthquakes increases exponentially with the magnitude. Each increase of one whole number on the magnitude scale corresponds to approximately 31 times more energy released. Therefore, the energy released by a magnitude 6 earthquake is approximately 31,623 times more than that of a magnitude 3 earthquake.

Compare the Amount of Earth Movement (Energy Released) by Earthquakes