Where does this come from, and can I check it?

Each whole number increase means about 32 times more energy released. The figure is taken from USGS, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.

Is this really a science fact?

Yes. It sits on the Science shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.

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The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.

Mondo Knows Facts

Earthquake magnitude rises on a log scale

Each whole number increase means about 32 times more energy released The magnitude scale is based on the amplitude of ground motion recorded by seismometers. A step of one whole number multiplies amplitude by ten and energy by roughly 31.6. That is why a magnitude 7 quake is far more destructive than a magnitude 6, not just slightly worse. It sits in Mondo's science collection, one of 200 facts that each trace back to the reference below.

Where this comes from

USGS

Facts that can change over time are reviewed and updated. If something here looks wrong, Mondo would rather know than be confidently incorrect.

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Tags: geology, earthquakes, measurement

Earthquake magnitude rises on a log scale: the short answers

Where does this come from, and can I check it?: Each whole number increase means about 32 times more energy released. The figure is taken from USGS, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
Is this really a science fact?: Yes. It sits on the Science shelf, one of 2,600 sourced facts grouped into space, animals, the human body, history, science and more. Category pages collect every fact in the same field.
What else can I read about it?: The links under the fact point to a quiz, game, puzzle or calculator on the same subject, and the shelf below shows related facts. The wording here is original, and quoted phrases are marked as quotations.