📊 Gutenberg-Richter Law Interactive Tool

Harvard EPS55

Explore how earthquake magnitude-frequency distributions reflect tectonic processes

⚙️ GR Parameters

log₁₀(N) = 6.0 - 1.0 × M
a-value (Activity): 6.0
Controls total seismicity rate
b-value (Slope): 1.0
Controls size distribution

📐 Rule of Ten

For every M7.0 earthquake:
10 M6.0 earthquakes
100 M5.0 earthquakes
1,000 M4.0 earthquakes

🌍 Regional Profiles

📋 Magnitude of Completeness

Mc: 2.5
Data below this magnitude is incomplete

Expected M7+ per Year

10

Expected M6+ per Year

100

Recurrence M8+

10 yrs

b-value Category

Normal

🔬 Geological Interpretation

The current parameters represent typical global seismicity with a standard b-value of 1.0, indicating normal stress conditions and a balanced distribution of earthquake sizes.
Physical Meaning:
• a-value: Reflects regional tectonics and fault system activity
• b-value: Indicates stress state and material properties
• High b-values suggest highly fractured media or low stress
• Low b-values indicate locked faults or high differential stress