Seismic intensity

Seismic intensity scales measure the intensity or severity of ground shaking at a given location, in most cases produced by an earthquake.

The Jatoverse Macroseismic Intensity Scale (JMIS) is the official scale used to measure earthquake intensities. However, both the Modified Mercalli intensity scale and the JMA Seismic intensity (Shindo) scale are also used to make seismic intensity identification the easiest for anyone, using the scale they most find appropiate.

Jatoverse Macroseismic Intensity Scale


JMIS	MMI	Effects	Example
0	--	Not felt.
1	I-II	No person/Few people notice the shaking, can be captured by seismic stations.
2	III	Felt by most people, many do not recognize it as an earthquake. Can be comparable to a truck moving. Some hanging objects begin to sway slightly, lamps can begin moving.
3	IV	Felt by almost everyone, few people outside can notice shaking. Windows, Dishes, and unsecured stuff are disturbed/noticed to be shaking, hanging objects sway, some vehicles such as stationed motorcycles, bicycles & smart cars can slightly rock.
4	V-VI	Everyone can feel it, most people outside can feel it. Poorly-seismically built buildings can suffer minor damages; hairline cracks on walls can be seen. Some stuff may fall below, some heavy furniture might start slightly moving. Cars begin to rock. EEW can be activated if stations registering JMIS 4 appear.
5	VII	Damage on poorly-seismically built buildings can be moderate, with signs of damage such as; pieces of walls falling, Chimneys falling, etc... Well-built buildings can suffer minor - slight damage. Minor landslides can occur, telephone poles can fall, Poles can begin moving significantly, Moving cars can feel some type of jolt.	2018 Dream Island earthquake
6	VIII	Damage on poorly-seismically built buildings can be severe, partial collapses might be expected, roofs under these circumstances can collapse. Heavy furniture might be overturned, power outages might occur. Changes in well water can occur. Well-built buildings can suffer moderate damage. Landslides can occur.	2023 Owl House earthquake
7	VIII-IX	Poorly-built buildings can collapse. Well-built buildings can suffer severe damage. Liquefaction can occur, people can move with the earthquake during this period. Landslides occur. Underground pipes are damaged severely.	2025 Great Jatoverse earthquake 2025 Offshore Murder Drones earthquake
8	X	Some well-built buildings can collapse. Water is splashed from river banks, major landslides occur. Rails can bend, trains can be derailed during this shaking, it is impossible to stay on foot during this shaking, Liquefaction can shift mud & sand.	2023 Murder Drones earthquake
9	XI	Few structures are left standing, ground deformation is very likely, bridges are destroyed. Cars can be flipped. Underground services are rendered completely out of service. Rails can bend severely.	1999 Löckelle Earthquake
10	XII	Damage is total. Waves are seen on ground surfaces. Lines of sight and level are distorted. Objects are thrown upward into the air.	2026 Dandy's World earthquake

Other Scales

In Jatoverse, both the Modified Mercalli intensity (MMI) scale and the JMA Seismic intensity (Shindo) are also used.


MMI	Shindo	Effects	Example
I	0	Not felt except by very few under especially favorable conditions.
II	1	Felt only by a few people at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings. Delicately suspended objects may swing.
III	2	Felt quite noticeably by people indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognise it as an earthquake. Standing vehicles may slightly rock. Vibrations are similar to the passing of a truck, with duration estimated.
IV	3	Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some are awakened. Dishes, windows, and doors are disturbed; walls make cracking sounds. Sensations are like a heavy truck striking a building. Standing vehicles are rocked noticeably.
V	4	Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes and windows are broken. Unstable objects are overturned. Pendulum clocks may stop.
VI	5-	Felt by all, and many are frightened. Some heavy furniture is moved; a few instances of fallen plaster occur. Damage is slight.
VII	5+	Damage is negligible in buildings of good design and construction; but slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; damage is considerable in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys are broken. Noticed by motorists.	2018 Dream Island earthquake
VIII	6-	Damage is slight in specially designed structures; considerable damage in ordinary substantial buildings with partial collapse. Damage is great in poorly built structures. The fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, and walls occur. Heavy furniture is overturned. Sand and mud is ejected in small amounts. Changes occur in well water. Motorists are disturbed.	2023 Owl House earthquake
IX	6+	Damage is considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures are thrown off-kilter. Damage is great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings are shifted off foundations. Liquefaction occurs. Underground pipes are broken.	2025 Great Jatoverse earthquake 2025 Offshore Murder Drones earthquake
X	7	Some well-built wooden structures are destroyed; most masonry and frame structures are destroyed with foundations. Rails are bent. Landslides are considerable from river banks and steep slopes. Sand and mud is shifted. Water is splashed over banks.	2023 Murder Drones earthquake
XI	7	Few, if any, (masonry) structures remain standing. Bridges are destroyed. Broad fissures erupt in the ground. Underground pipelines are rendered completely out of service. Earth slumps and landslips occur on soft ground. Rails are greatly bent.	1999 Löckelle Earthquake
XII	7	Damage is total. Waves are seen on ground surfaces. Lines of sight and level are distorted. Objects are thrown upward into the air.	2026 Dandy's World earthquake