A Richter 9 is 1000 x more energy released than Richter 7.
However, the swing amplitude is only 100x bigger. People get confused on the distinction.

(energy ratio) = (amplitude ratio)^3/2
amplitude ratio is 10^(difference of the Richter readings).

No quake at Richter 10 ever happened and it is alleged to be planet destroying. It's only about 32x more energy than the Japan quake.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richter_magnitude_scale