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Intensity Earthquake Effects

The intensity is a qualitative description of the effects

of the earthquake at a particular location, as Primary – Due to causative process
evidenced by observed damage and human reaction
at that location Secondary – Due to Shaking or passage of elastic waves

Terrain
The Rossi-Forel intensity scale, developed in Water
the late 19th century, have ten stages to Construction
Loose objects
describe the earthquake effects in increasing
Miscellaneous
order.

MSK Intensity Scale

Mercalli (1902) proposed an intensity scale in which Type of structures (Buildings)

earthquake severity was classified in twelve stages.
The Mercalli intensity scale was modified in 1931 to
suit the building conditions in the United States. The Type of structure Definitions

modified version is widely known as Modified Mercalli

Intensity (MMI) scale.
A Buildings in fieldstone, rural structures,
unburnt brick houses,
unburnt-brick houses clay houses.
houses
The Medvedev-Spoonheuer-Karnik (MSK) intensity
scale introduced in 1964 also has twelve stages and B Ordinary brick buildings, buildings of the
differs from the MMI scale mainly in details. large-block and prefabricated type,
half timbered structures, buildings in
natural hewn stone.

C Reinforced buildings, well built wooden

structures

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Classification of damage to buildings

Definition of quantity

Grade Definitions Descriptions

Quantity Percentage
G1 Slight damage Fine cracks in plaster; fall of
small pieces of plaster

Single, few About 5 % G2 Moderate Small cracks in walls; fall of

fairly damage large pieces of
plaster, pantiles slip off; cracks
in chimneys; parts of chimney
Many About 50 % fall down.

G3 Heavy damage Large and deep cracks in walls;

fall of chimneys.

Most About 75 % G4 Destruction Gaps in walls; parts of buildings

may collapse; separate parts of
the building lose their cohesion;
and inner walls collapse.

G5 Total damage Total collapse of buildings.

Details of MSK intensity scale

IV Largely observed The earthquake is felt indoors by many
people, outdoors by few. Here and there
people awake, but no one is frightened. The
vibration is like that due to the passing of a
Intensity Descriptions
heavily loaded truck. Windows, doors and
dishes rattle. Floors and walls crack.
Furniture begins to shake. Hanging objects
I Not
noticeable
The intensity of the vibration is below
the limit of sensibility; the tremor is
swing slightly. Liquids in open vessels are
slightly disturbed. In standing motorcars the
detected and recorded by shock is noticeable.
seismographs only.
V Awakening
g a)) The earthquake
q is felt indoors byy all,,
II Scarcely
noticeable
Vibration is felt only by individual
people at rest in houses, especially on
outdoors by many. Many sleeping people
awake. A few run outdoors. Animals become
(very slight) upper floors of buildings uneasy. Buildings tremble throughout.
Hanging objects swing considerably. Pictures
III Weak,
partially
The earthquake is felt indoors by a few
people, outdoors only in favourable
knock against walls or swing out of place.
Occasionally pendulum clocks stop, Unstable
observed only circumstances. The vibration is like that objects may be overturned or shifted. Open
due to the passing of a light truck. doors and windows are thrust open and
Attentive observers notice a slight slam-back again. Liquids spill in small
swinging of hanging objects, somewhat amounts from well-filled open containers.
more heavily on upper floors The sensation of vibration is like that due to
heavy object falling inside the buildings.

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VI Frightening Felt by most indoors and outdoors. Many people in

buildings are frightened and run outdoors. A few VIII Destruction of Fright and panic; also persons driving motorcars
persons lose their balance. Domestic animals run out
buildings are disturbed. Here and there branches of trees
of their stalls. In few instances dishes and glassware break off. Even heavy furniture moves and partly
may break, books fall down. Heavy furniture may overturns. Hanging lamps are damaged in part.
possibly move and small steeple bells may ring. bMost buildings of Type C suffer damage of Grade
Damage of Grade I is sustained in single buildings of 2, and a few of Grade 3. Most buildings of Type B
Type B and in many of Type A. Damage in a few suffer damage of Grade 3, and most buildings of
buildings of Type A is of Grade 2. Type A suffer damage of Grade 4. Many buildings
In few cases cracks up to widths of I cm possible in of Type C suffer damage of Grade 4. Occasional
wet ground; in mountains occasional landslips; change breaking of pipe seams. Memorials and
in flow of springs and in level of well water are
monuments move and twist. Tombstones
observed.
b d
overturn. Stone-walls collapse.
VII Damage of
buildings
Most people are frightened and run
outdoors. Many find it difficult to stand. The vibration Small landslips in hollows and on banked roads on
is noticed by persons driving motorcars. Large bells steep slopes; cracks in ground up to widths of
ring. several cm. Water in lakes becomes turbid. New
In many buildings of Type C damage of Grade I is reservoirs come into existence. Dry wells refill and
caused; in many buildings of Type B damage is of existing wells become dry. In many cases change
Grade 2. Most buildings of Type A suffer damage of in flow and level of water is observed.
Grade 3, a few of Grade 4. In single instances
landslips of roadway on steep slopes; cracks in roads;
seams of pipelines damaged; cracks in stone walls.

IX General General panic; considerable damage to furniture.

damage to Animals run to and fro in confusion and cry. X General
destruction of
a) Many buildings of Type C suffer damage of Grade
4, and a few of Grade 5. Many buildings of Type B
buildings b) Many buildings of Type C suffer damage
of Grade 3, and a few of Grade 4. Many buildings buildings show damage of Grade 5; most of Type A have
of Type B show damage of Grade 4, and a few of destruction of Grade 5; critical damage to dams and
Grade 5. Many buildings of Type A suffer damage dykes and severe damage to bridges. Railway lines
of Grade 5. Monuments and columns fall. are bent slightly. Underground pipes are broken or
Considerable damage to reservoirs; underground bent. Road paving and asphalt show waves.
pipes partly broken. In individual cases railway b) In ground, cracks up to widths of several cm,
lines are bent and roadway damaged. sometimes up to 1 m. Parallel to water course occur
c) On flat land overflow of water,
water sand and broad fissures. Loose gground slides from steepp
mud is often observed. Ground cracks to widths slopes. From river-bank and steep coasts,
of up to 10 cm, on slopes and river banks more considerable landslides are possible. In coastal
than 10 cm; furthermore a large number of slight areas, displacement of sand and mud; change of
cracks in ground; falls of rock, many landslides water level in wells; water from canals, lakes, rivers,
and earth flows; large waves in water. Dry wells etc, thrown on land. New lakes occur.
renew-their flow and existing wells dry up.

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XI Destruction Severe damage even to well built buildings,

bridges, water dams and railway lines; highways
Details of MMI intensity scale

become useless; underground pipes destroyed.

b) Ground considerably distorted by broad cracks Intensity Descriptions
and fissures, as well as by movement in horizontal
and vertical directions; numerous landslips and falls
of rock. The intensity of the earthquake requires to I Vibrations are recorded by instruments. People do not feel
be investigated specially. any Earth movement.
Practically all structures above and below ground
XII Landscape
g
changes are g
greatlyy damaged
g or destroyed.
y
II People at rest upstairs notice shaking. A few people might
notice
ti movementt if they
th are att restt and/or
d/ on the
th upper
b) The surface of the ground is radically changed. floors of tall buildings.
Considerable ground cracks with extensive vertical
III Shaking felt indoors; hanging objects swing. Many people
and horizontal movements are observed. Falls of
rock and slumping of river-banks over wide areas, indoors feel movement. Hanging objects swing back and
lakes are dammed; waterfalls appear, and rivers forth. People outdoors might not realize that an earthquake
are deflected. The intensity of the earthquake is occurring.
requires to be investigated specially. IV Dishes rattle; standing cars rock; trees shake. Most people
indoors feel movement. Hanging objects swing. Dishes,
windows, and doors rattle. The earthquake feels like a heavy
truck hitting the walls. A few people outdoors may feel
movement. Parked cars rock.

V Doors swing; liquid spills from glasses; sleepers awake. Almost

everyone feels movement. Sleeping people are awakened. Doors IX General panic; damage to foundations; sand and mud bubble
swing open or close. Dishes are broken. Pictures on the wall from ground. Well-built buildings suffer considerable damage.
move. Small objects move or are turned over. Trees might Houses that are not bolted down move off their foundations.
shake. Liquids might spill out of open containers. Some underground pipes are broken. The ground cracks.
VI People walk unsteadily; windows break; pictures fall off walls. Reservoirs suffer serious damage.
Everyone feels movement. People have trouble walking. Objects X Most buildings destroyed; large landslides; water thrown out
fall from shelves. Pictures fall off walls. Furniture moves. Plaster
of rivers. Most buildings and their foundations are destroyed.
in walls might crack. Trees and bushes shake. Damage is slight
in poorly built buildings. No structural damage. Some bridges are destroyed. Dams are seriously damaged.
Large landslides occur. Water is thrown on the banks of
VII Difficult to stand; plaster, bricks, and tiles fall; large bells ring.
canals, rivers, lakes. The ground cracks in large areas.
People have difficulty standing.
standing Drivers feel their cars shaking.
shaking
Some furniture breaks. Loose bricks fall from buildings. Damage Railroad tracks are bent slightly.
is slight to moderate in well-built buildings; considerable in XI Railway tracks bend; roads break up; large cracks appear in
poorly built buildings. ground; rocks fall. Most buildings collapse. Some bridges are
VIII Car steering affected; chimneys fall; branches break; cracks in destroyed. Large cracks appear in the ground. Underground
wet ground. Drivers have trouble steering. Houses that are not pipelines are destroyed. Railroad tracks are badly bent.
bolted down might shift on their foundations. Tall structures
XII Total destruction; "waves" seen on ground surface; river
such as towers and chimneys might twist and fall. Well-built
buildings suffer slight damage. Poorly built structures suffer courses altered; vision distorted. Almost everything is
severe damage. Tree branches break. Hillsides might crack if the destroyed. Objects are thrown into the air. The ground moves
ground is wet. Water levels in wells might change. in waves or ripples. Large amounts of rock may move.