Not felt on the surface, only detectable through sensitive seismometers
Hardly perceptible shocks and may be felt only slightly rear the epicenter
Very feeble shocks and felt near the epicenter, but causing little or no damage
Feeble shocks, but causing little or no damage
Moderate quake felt over wide areas, can cause local damages near the epicenter
Strong earthquake and clearly felt over a wide area near the epicenter, damage to poorly constructed buildings within 10 km
Major earthquake, can cause serious damage and possible loss of life
Great earthquake can cause widespread destruction and loss of life, considerable tsunamis are produced
Rare great earthquake; major damage and loss of life over a large region even more than 1,000 km from the epicenter