Intensity Lab
MMI Scale › Level V
V

Moderate

Moderate shaking · Very light damage potential

PGA
3.9 – 9.2 %g
PGV
8.1 – 16 cm/s
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X

Felt indoors by practically all, outdoors by many. Many people awakened; a few run outdoors. Buildings tremble throughout.

Effects

People & Response

  • Felt by practically all indoors, most outdoors
  • Many awakened from sleep
  • Few frightened; slight excitement
  • A few people run outdoors

Objects & Furnishings

  • Dishes and glassware broken to some extent
  • Windows cracked in some cases
  • Vases and unstable objects overturned
  • Hanging objects and doors swing considerably
  • Pictures knocked against walls or swung out of place
  • Doors and shutters open or close abruptly
  • Liquids spilled from well-filled open containers
  • Pendulum clocks stop, start, or change rate

Structures & Environment

  • Buildings tremble throughout
  • Possible very slight damage to buildings
  • Trees and bushes shaken slightly
Typical PGA (ShakeMap) 3.9 – 9.2 %g
Typical PGV (ShakeMap) 8.1 – 16 cm/s
PGA/PGV ranges are approximate; values overlap between adjacent levels. See Instrumental Intensity for details.

Video Example

MMI V shaking example video thumbnail
Watch on YouTube ↗
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Descriptions are verbatim from the USGS MMI Scale, based on Wood & Neumann (1931) and Richter (1958). Source: USGS Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale .

Instrumental intensity values and PGA/PGV ranges from USGS ShakeMap V4 Technical Documentation (Worden et al.). Intensity Lab reports MMI derived via the Worden et al. (2012) GMICE, interpolated from USGS ShakeMap. PGA/PGV ranges are approximate; actual values overlap between adjacent levels.