Use the Earthquake Magnitude Scale to Answer the Question $1.2 \times 10 ^ { 13 }$

Multiple Choice

Use the earthquake magnitude scale to answer the question.
-How much energy, in joules, is released by an earthquake of magnitude 5.8?

A) $1.2 \times 10 ^ { 13 }$ joules
B) $7.9 \times 10 ^ { 15 }$ joules
C) $1.6 \times 10 ^ { 10 }$ joules
D) $1.3 \times 10 ^ { 13 }$ joules