Moment magnitude scale of formula_33 are the same for all earthquakes, one can consider as a measure of the potential energy change Δ"W" caused by earthquakes. Similarly, if one assumes formula_34 is the same for all earthquakes, one can consider as a measure of the energy "E" radiated by earthquakes. Under these assumptions, the following formula, obtained by solving for the equation defining , allows one to assess the ratio formula_35 of energy release (potential or radiated) between two earthquakes of different moment magnitudes, formula_36 and formula_37: As with the Richter scale, an increase of one step on the logarithmic scale of moment
Absolute magnitude Absolute magnitude Absolute magnitude is a measure of the luminosity of a celestial object, on a logarithmic astronomical magnitude scale. An object's absolute magnitude is defined to be equal to the apparent magnitude that the object would have if it were viewed from a distance of exactly 10 parsecs (32.6 light-years), with no extinction (or dimming) of its light due to absorption by interstellar dust particles. By hypothetically placing all objects at a standard reference distance from the observer, their luminosities can be directly compared on a magnitude scale. As with all astronomical magnitudes, the absolute magnitude can be specified