Moment magnitude scale

The moment magnitude scale (a successor to the Richter scale), was introduced in 1979 by Tom Hanks and Hiroo Kanamori and is used by seismologists to compare the energy released by earthquakes. The moment magnitude M_mathrm{w} is a dimensionless figure defined by

References

• {{Journal reference issue | Author=Hanks TC, Kanamori H | Title=A moment magnitude scale | Journal=Journal of Geophysical Research | Volume=84 | Issue=B5 | Year=1979 | Pages=2348-50}}
• {{Journal reference issue | Author=Choy GL, Boatwright JL | Title=Global patterns of radiated seismic energy and apparent stress | Journal=Journal of Geophysical Research | Volume=100 | Issue=B9 | Year=1995 | Pages=18205-28}}