Seismologists use a different Intensity Scale to express the variable effects of an earthquake. It may be several days before different organizations come to a consensus on what is the best overall magnitude estimate.Īlthough each earthquake has a unique Magnitude, its effects will vary greatly according to distance, ground conditions, construction standards, and other factors.
#Earthquake intensity 1 to 10 plus#
The uncertainty in an estimate of the magnitude is about plus or minus 0.3 units, and seismologists often revise magnitude estimates as they obtain and analyze additional data. Depending on the size, nature, and location of an earthquake, seismologists may use several different methods and even different magnitude scales to estimate magnitude. While each earthquake releases a unique amount of energy, the magnitude values reported by different seismological observatories for an event may vary. Can cause major damage over a large region over 1000 km across. Can cause serious damage and loss of life in areas several hundred kilometers across. a 7.0 earthquake is 10 times stronger than a 6. Can cause serious damage over larger areas. The Richter Scale (more accurately referred to now as the local magnitude scale or ML), like all other magnitude scales to follow, is logarithmic, meaning each unit up on the scale equals a 10-fold increase in amplitudee.g. Can cause major damage to poorly constructed buildings over small regions.Ĭan cause damage to poorly constructed buildings and other structures in areas up to about 100 kilometers across where people live. Recorded on local seismographs, but generally not felt.Īt most slight damage to well-designed buildings. Here are the typical effects of earthquakes in various magnitude ranges. 350: 6.1 to 6.9: May cause a lot of damage in very populated areas. 500,000: 5.5 to 6.0: Slight damage to buildings and other structures.
Millions: 2.5 to 5.4: Often felt, but only causes minor damage.
Seismologists use a Magnitude scale to express this energy release. Earthquake Effects Estimated Number Each Year 2.5 or less: Usually not felt, but can be recorded by seismograph. The severity of an earthquake is generally proportional to the amount of seismic energy it releases.
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