Intensity I
Instrumental |
Not felt by
people, only detected by seismographs. |
Intensity II
Feeble |
Felt only by a
few people at rest, especially on upper floors of
buildings. Delicately suspended objects may
swing. |
Intensity III
Slight |
Felt noticeably
indoors; like the vibrations due to a passing
truck. Standing motor cars may rock slightly |
Intensity IV
Moderate |
Felt indoors by
many people, outdoors by few. Dishes, windows,
doors rattle. May awaken some sleepers. Standing
cars rocked noticeably. |
Intensity V
Rather strong |
Felt by nearly
everyone, many awakened. Some dishes and windows
broken; occasional cracked plaster; unstable
objects overturned. Some disturbance of trees,
poles and other tall objects |
Intensity VI
Strong |
Felt by all; many
frightened and run outdoors. Some heavy furniture
moved; some falling plaster or damaged chimneys.
Damage slight. |
Intensity VII
Very strong |
General alarm;
people run outside. Walls crack; chimneys fall.
Considerable damage in poorly designed
structures. Noticed by persons in moving
vehicles. |
Intensity VIII
Destructive |
Considerable
damage in ordinary substantial buildings with
partial collapse. Fall of chimneys, factory
stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy
furniture overturned. Changes in well water. Car
drivers seriously disturbed. |
Intensity IX
Ruinous |
Considerable
damage with partial collapse of substantial
buildings. Buildings moved off foundations;
ground cracks conspicuous. Underground pipes
broken. |
Intensity X
Disastrous |
Ground cracks
badly; landslides on river banks and steep
slopes; rails bent. Many buildings destroyed. |
Intensity XI
Very disastrous |
Broad fissures in
ground; major landslides and earth slumps;
floods. Few buildings remain standing; bridges
destroyed. Nearly all services (railways,
underground pipes, cables) out of action. |
Intensity XII
Catastrophic |
Total
destruction. Ground rises and falls in waves;
lines of sight and level distorted. Objects
thrown into the air. |
The longest warning you will have no ifs, ands
or buts...