Convert Ergs to Megatons of TNT
Convert Ergs (erg) to Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
Mt(TNT) = erg × 2.390057361e-23
About Ergs
An erg is the CGS unit of energy - the work done by one dyne through one centimetre - exactly 10⁻⁷ J. Despite SI adoption, the erg persists in astrophysics: the Sun's luminosity is 3.828 × 10³³ erg/s; gamma-ray burst isotropic energies are quoted in units of 10⁵¹ erg ('one foe'). Surface tension of water is 72.8 dyn/cm; the work to create 1 cm² of new water-air interface is 72.8 erg. Earthquake seismic moment M₀ is in dyn·cm = erg; the 2004 Boxing Day earthquake had M₀ ≈ 10²³ J = 10³⁰ erg. 1 erg = 10⁻⁷ J = 624.15 eV.
About Megatons of TNT
A megaton of TNT (Mt(TNT)) = 10⁶ tons of TNT = exactly 4.184 PJ. The Soviet Tsar Bomba (1961) yielded ~50 Mt - the largest human-made explosion ever, with a fireball 8 km in diameter. Castle Bravo (1954) yielded ~15 Mt, 2.5× its 6 Mt design yield. Modern thermonuclear warheads typically range from 0.1-1.2 Mt. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake released ~500 Mt in seismic energy. The Krakatoa 1883 eruption released ~200 Mt; Tambora 1815 ~33,000 Mt. 1 Mt(TNT) = 4.184 PJ = 1,162,800 MWh.
Quick Reference Table
| Ergs (erg) | Megatons of TNT (Mt(TNT)) |
|---|---|
| 1 erg | 2.39 × 10-23 Mt(TNT) |
| 2 erg | 4.78 × 10-23 Mt(TNT) |
| 5 erg | 1.195 × 10-22 Mt(TNT) |
| 10 erg | 2.39 × 10-22 Mt(TNT) |
| 25 erg | 5.975 × 10-22 Mt(TNT) |
| 50 erg | 1.195 × 10-21 Mt(TNT) |
| 100 erg | 2.39 × 10-21 Mt(TNT) |