|
EMS
|
DEFINITION
|
DESCRIPTION
|
|
1
|
Not felt
|
Not felt, even under the most favourable
circumstances.
|
|
2
|
Scarcely felt
|
Vibration is felt only by individual
people at rest in houses, especially on upper floors of
buildings.
|
|
3
|
Weak
|
The vibration is weak and is felt indoors
by a few people. People at rest feel a swaying or light
trembling.
|
|
4
|
Largely observed
|
The earthquake is felt indoors by many
people, outdoors by very few. A few people are awakened.
The level of vibration is not frightening. Windows, doors
and dishes rattle. Hanging objects swing.
|
|
5
|
Strong
|
The earthquake is felt indoors by most,
outdoors by few. Many sleeping people awake. A few run outdoors.
Buildings tremble throughout. Hanging objects swing considerably.
China and glasses clatter together. The vibration is strong.
Top heavy objects topple over. Doors and windows swing open
or shut.
|
|
6
|
Slightly damaging
|
Felt by most indoors and by many outdoors.
Many people in buildings are frightened and run outdoors.
Small objects fall. Slight damage to many ordinary buildings
e.g.; fine cracks in plaster and small pieces of plaster
fall.
|
|
7
|
Damaging
|
Most people are frightened and run outdoors.
Furniture is shifted and objects fall from shelves in large
numbers. Many ordinary buildings suffer moderate damage:
small cracks in walls; partial collapse of chimneys.
|
|
8
|
Heavily damaging
|
Furniture may be overturned. Many ordinary
buildings suffer damage: chimneys fall; large cracks appear
in walls and a few buildings may partially collapse.
|
|
9
|
Destructive
|
Monuments and columns fall or are twisted.
Many ordinary buildings partially collapse and a few collapse
completely.
|
|
10
|
Very destructive
|
Many ordinary buildings collapse.
|
|
11
|
Devastating
|
Most ordinary buildings collapse.
|
|
12
|
Completely devastating
|
Practically all structures above and
below ground are heavily damaged or destroyed.
|
