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Intensity Scale

This document describes the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Earthquake Intensity Scale, which ranges from I to X. It provides descriptions of shaking and typical effects for each level of intensity. Intensity I is scarcely perceptible shaking while X is completely devastating, destroying most structures and causing massive geological changes.

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chronixles
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38 views

Intensity Scale

This document describes the Philippine Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) Earthquake Intensity Scale, which ranges from I to X. It provides descriptions of shaking and typical effects for each level of intensity. Intensity I is scarcely perceptible shaking while X is completely devastating, destroying most structures and causing massive geological changes.

Uploaded by

chronixles
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Intensity

Scale Shaking Description

I Scarcely Perceptible to people under favorable circumstances. Delicately balanced objects are disturbed slightly. Still Water in contain
Perceptible slowly.

II Slightly Felt Felt by few individuals at rest indoors. Hanging objects swing slightly. Still Water in containers oscillates noticeably.

III Weak Felt by many people indoors especially in upper floors of buildings. Vibration is felt like one passing of a light truck.
Dizziness and nausea are experienced by some people. Hanging objects swing moderately. Still water in containers oscillates

IV Moderately Felt generally by people indoors and by some people outdoors. Light sleepers are awakened. Vibration is felt like a passing of
Strong Hanging objects swing considerably. Dinner, plates, glasses, windows and doors rattle. Floors and walls of wood framed build
Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Liquids in containers are slightly disturbed. Water in containers oscillate strongly. Rum
may sometimes be heard.

V Strong Generally felt by most people indoors and outdoors. Many sleeping people are awakened. Some are frightened, some run ou
Strong shaking and rocking felt throughout building. Hanging objects swing violently. Dining utensils clatter and clink; some ar
Small, light and unstable objects may fall or overturn. Liquids spill from filled open containers. Standing vehicles rock noticeab
Shaking of leaves and twigs of trees are noticeable.

VI Very Strong Many people are frightened; many run outdoors. Some people lose their balance. motorists feel like driving in flat tires. Heav
furniture move or may be shifted. Small church bells may ring. Wall plaster may crack. Very old or poorly built houses and ma
structures are slightly damaged though well-built structures are not affected. Limited rockfalls and rolling boulders occur in h
mountainous areas and escarpments. Trees are noticeably shaken.

VII Destructive Most people are frightened and run outdoors. People find it difficult to stand in upper floors. Heavy objects and furniture ove
Big church bells may ring. Old or poorly-built structures suffer considerable damage. Some well-built structures are slightly da
cracks may appear on dikes, fish ponds, road surface, or concrete hollow block walls. Limited liquefaction, lateral spreading a
are observed. Trees are shaken strongly. (Liquefaction is a process by which loose saturated sand lose strength during an eart
behave like liquid).

VIII Very Destructive People are panicky. People find it difficult to stand even outdoors. Many well-built buildings are considerably damaged. Conc
Intensity
Scale Shaking Description

foundation of bridges are destroyed by ground settling or toppling. Railway tracks are bent or broken. Tombstones may be di
twisted or overturned. Utility posts, towers and monuments mat tilt or topple. Water and sewer pipes may be bent, twisted o
Liquefaction and lateral spreading cause man- made structure to sink, tilt or topple. Numerous landslides and rockfalls occur
and hilly areas. Boulders are thrown out from their positions particularly near the epicenter. Fissures and faults rapture may b
Trees are violently shaken. Water splash or stop over dikes or banks of rivers.

IX Devastating People are forcibly thrown to ground. Many cry and shake with fear. Most buildings are totally damaged. bridges and elevate
structures are toppled or destroyed. Numerous utility posts, towers and monument are tilted, toppled or broken. Water sewe
bent, twisted or broken. Landslides and liquefaction with lateral spreadings and sandboils are widespread. the ground is disto
undulations. Trees are shaken very violently with some toppled or broken. Boulders are commonly thrown out. River water sp
violently on slops over dikes and banks.

X Completely Practically all man-made structures are destroyed. Massive landslides and liquefaction, large scale subsidence and uplifting of
Devastating and many grounds are observed. Changes in river courses and destructive seiches in large lakes occur. Many trees are toppled
uprooted.
PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS)

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