Intensity

Definitions of intensity degrees

Introductory remark: The single intensity degrees can include the effects of shaking of the respective lower intensity degree(s) also, when these effects are not mentioned explicitly.

I. Not felt

perception humaine	Not felt, even under the most favourable circumstances.
effets objets/nature	No effect.
dégâts aux bâtiments	No damage.

II. Scarcely felt

perception humaine	The tremor is felt only at isolated instances (<1%) of individuals at rest and in a specially receptive position indoors.
effets objets/nature	No effect.
dégâts aux bâtiments	No damage.

III. Weak

perception humaine	The earthquake is felt indoors by a few. People at rest feel a swaying or light trembling.
effets objets/nature	Hanging objects swing slightly.
dégâts aux bâtiments	No damage.

IV. Largely observed

perception humaine	The earthquake is felt indoors by many and felt outdoors only by very few. A few people are awakened. The level of vibration is not frightening. The vibration is moderate. Observers feel a slight trembling or swaying of the building, room or bed, chair etc.
effets objets/nature	China, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Hanging objects swing. Light furniture shakes visibly in a few cases. Woodwork creaks in a few cases.
dégâts aux bâtiments	No damage.

V. Strong

perception humaine	The earthquake is felt indoors by most, outdoors by few. A few people are frightened and run outdoors. Many sleeping people awake. Observers feel a strong shaking or rocking of the whole building, room or furniture.
effets objets/nature	Hanging objects swing considerably. China and glasses clatter together. Small, top-heavy and/or precariously supported objects may be shifted or fall down. Doors and windows swing open or shut. In a few cases window panes break. Liquids oscillate and may spill from well-filled containers. Animals indoors may become uneasy.
dégâts aux bâtiments	Damage of grade 1 to a few buildings of vulnerability class A and B.

VI. Slightly damaging

perception humaine	Felt by most indoors and by many outdoors. A few persons lose their balance. Many people are frightened and run outdoors.
effets objets/nature	Small objects of ordinary stability may fall and furniture may be shifted. In few instances dishes and glassware may break. Farm animals (even outdoors) may be frightened.
dégâts aux bâtiments	Damage of grade 1 is sustained by many buildings of vulnerability class A and B; a few of class A and B suffer damage of grade 2; a few of class C suffer damage of grade 1.

VII. Damaging

perception humaine	Most people are frightened and try to run outdoors. Many find it difficult to stand, especially on upper floors.
effets objets/nature	Furniture is shifted and top-heavy furniture may be overturned. Objects fall from shelves in large numbers. Water splashes from containers, tanks and pools.
dégâts aux bâtiments	Many buildings of vulnerability class A suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4. Many buildings of vulnerability class B suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3. A few buildings of vulnerability class C sustain damage of grade 2. A few buildings of vulnerability class D sustain damage of grade 1.

VIII. Heavily damaging

perception humaine	Many people find it difficult to stand, even outdoors.
effets objets/nature	Furniture may be overturned. Objects like TV sets, typewriters etc. fall to the ground. Tombstones may occasionally be displaced, twisted or overturned. Waves may be seen on very soft ground.
dégâts aux bâtiments	Many buildings of vulnerability class A suffer damage of grade 4; a few of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class B suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4. Many buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3. A few buildings of vulnerability class D sustain damage of grade 2.

IX. Destructive

perception humaine	General panic. People may be forcibly thrown to the ground.
effets objets/nature	Many monuments and columns fall or are twisted. Waves are seen on soft ground.
dégâts aux bâtiments	Many buildings of vulnerability class A sustain damage of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class B suffer damage of grade 4; a few of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4. Many buildings of vulnerability class D suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3. A few buildings of vulnerability class E sustain damage of grade 2.

X. Very destructive

dégâts aux bâtiments

Most buildings of vulnerability class A sustain damage of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class B sustain damage of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 4; a few of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class D suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4. Many buildings of vulnerability class E suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3. A few buildings of vulnerability class F sustain damage of grade 2.

XI. Devastating

dégâts aux bâtiments

Most buildings of vulnerability class B sustain damage of grade 5. Most buildings of vulnerability class C suffer damage of grade 4; many of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class D suffer damage of grade 4; a few of grade 5. Many buildings of vulnerability class E suffer damage of grade 3; a few of grade 4. Many buildings of vulnerability class F suffer damage of grade 2; a few of grade 3.

XII. Completely devastating

dégâts aux bâtiments

All buildings of vulnerability class A, B and practically all of vulnerability class C are destroyed. Most buildings of vulnerability class D, E and F are destroyed. The earthquake effects have reached the maximum conceivable effects.

Definitions of quantity

Reference

Grüntal, G. (Ed.) (1998). European Macroseismic Scale 1998 (EMS-98), (Cahiers du Centre Européen de Géodynamique et de Séismologie ; 15), Luxembourg : Centre Européen de Géodynamique et de Séismologie, 99 p. doi:10.2312/EMS-98.full.en