Earthquake Seismology: Magnitudes, Energy, Epicentres & Recurrence
Calculate earthquakes the way seismologists do: seismic moment and moment magnitude Mw, energy ratios of 10^(1.5ΔM), P and S travel times with a travel-time chart and distance from the S−P interval, locating an epicentre by a grid search with INDEX and MATCH, the Gutenberg–Richter b-value with SLOPE and a trendline chart, recurrence intervals and the Poisson chance of at least one event, Omori aftershock decay and an illustrative intensity attenuation – 8 labs on one fictional seismic network, every cell checked instantly. Educational only, not a hazard assessment.
The first lesson is free — no account needed.
About this course
An earthquake seismology course that calculates magnitudes, distances and recurrence for one fictional seismic network in a spreadsheet, for geology, geophysics and earth science students, teachers and anyone curious about earthquake numbers. You turn fault area, slip and rigidity into seismic moment and moment magnitude Mw, convert magnitudes into radiated energy and TNT equivalents and see why one step means about 32 times more energy, chart P and S travel times and turn S−P intervals into distances, locate an epicentre with a three-station grid search and INDEX and MATCH, fit the Gutenberg–Richter a- and b-values with SLOPE and INTERCEPT, turn them into recurrence intervals and the Poisson chance of at least one event in 50 years, apply Omori's law to aftershocks and estimate shaking with an illustrative attenuation. Educational only, not a hazard assessment. The first lab is free.
Lessons
- Moment Magnitude: From Fault Size and Slip to MwFree
- Magnitude & Energy: Why +1 Means 32 Times More Pro
- P and S Waves: Travel Times & Distance from the S−P Interval Pro
- Locating the Epicentre: Three Stations & a Grid Search Pro
- Gutenberg–Richter: Fitting log N = a − bM with SLOPE Pro
- Recurrence Intervals & the Chance of at Least One Event Pro
- Aftershock Decay: Omori's Law Pro
- Shaking Intensity vs Distance (Illustrative Attenuation) Pro