Many people confuse wave amplitude with energy. While a magnitude 8.0 quake has 100 times larger “shaking” amplitude than a 6.0, the actual energy released (the work done by the earthquake) follows a steeper curve. The jump from 6.0 to 8.0 represents a massive difference in destructive power; it is the difference between a moderate local event and a catastrophic regional disaster. This exponential growth explains why “Great” earthquakes (8.0+) are so rare but account for the vast majority of total seismic energy released globally over time.