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Figures as of November 14, 2026, from each chart's current data.

Chart 1 of 1 · Earthquakes

How much rarer is each step up in earthquake magnitude?

The chart's answer: In 2025 the world recorded 6,428 earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 to 4.9, 1,983 of magnitude 5, 129 of magnitude 6, 15 of magnitude 7 and 1 of magnitude 8 or more. Each step up in magnitude is roughly ten times rarer, and releases about 32 times more energy. Countless smaller quakes go unrecorded worldwide, so the chart starts at 4.5.

Key numbers (Earthquakes worldwide in the year)

Questions

  1. Roughly how many times more common is each band than the one above it?

    • 4.5 to 4.9 is about 6,428 times 8.0 or more
    • Highest: 6,428 (4.5 to 4.9)
    • Lowest: 1 (8.0 or more)

  2. The biggest bars are hard to compare with the smallest ones on this scale. What other way could you show these numbers?

    • Highest: 6,428 (4.5 to 4.9)
    • Lowest: 1 (8.0 or more)

  3. The chart starts at magnitude 4.5. Why might smaller earthquakes around the world go uncounted?

    Open question: answers will vary. Look for answers that use the chart's numbers and source.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey, ANSS Comprehensive Earthquake Catalog (ComCat) (Public domain (U.S. government work); source U.S. Geological Survey) · Data as of Dec 31, 2025 · chart.ly/charts/earthquakes-by-magnitude

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