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MIT Study Reveals Earthquake Energy Transforms Mostly to Heat

9/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

MIT geologists studied "lab quakes" to understand earthquake energy distribution.
They discovered that about 80% of a quake's energy converts to heat, with only 10% causing physical shaking.
Less than 1% is used for rock fracturing.
The team used powdered granite with magnetic particles to track temperature changes during simulations.
Their findings may enhance earthquake forecasting and hazard assessment.

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Story summary

MIT geologists studied "lab quakes" to understand earthquake energy distribution.
They discovered that about 80% of a quake's energy converts to heat, with only 10% causing physical shaking.
Less than 1% is used for rock fracturing.
The team used powdered granite with magnetic particles to track temperature changes during simulations.
Their findings may enhance earthquake forecasting and hazard assessment.