Richter Scale Calculator

This calculator interprets a Richter magnitude and shows what it means in real terms. Enter a magnitude and it returns the relative energy released and the shaking you would expect at that level, from imperceptible tremors up to major destruction. The scale is logarithmic, so each whole step is about thirty two times more energy rather than one step more. Seeing those multiples written out makes the gap between a magnitude five and a magnitude seven much clearer.