MAGNITUDE AND ENERGY OF EARTHQUAKES

Abstract

This paper is in continuation of previous investigations (Gutenberg<br />and Richter, Paper I, 1942; Paper I I , 1956).<br />The earthquake magnitude has statistical and other uses independent<br />of the relation between magnitude and energy. Indeed, it is possible<br />that there is no complete one-to-one correlation between magnitude<br />and energy for large and complex tectonic events. Even so, a<br />mean or representative relation is a legitimate object of inquiry.