<Table> <Tr> <Th> Magnitude </Th> <Th> Description </Th> <Th> Mercalli intensity </Th> <Th> Average earthquake effects </Th> <Th> Average frequency of occurrence ( estimated ) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1.0 -- 1.9 </Td> <Td> Micro </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Microearthquakes , not felt , or felt rarely . Recorded by seismographs . </Td> <Td> Continual / several million per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.0 -- 2.9 </Td> <Td> Minor </Td> <Td> I to II </Td> <Td> Felt slightly by some people . No damage to buildings . </Td> <Td> Over one million per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 3.0 -- 3.9 </Td> <Td> III to IV </Td> <Td> Often felt by people , but very rarely causes damage . Shaking of indoor objects can be noticeable . </Td> <Td> Over 100,000 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 4.0 -- 4.9 </Td> <Td> Light </Td> <Td> IV to VI </Td> <Td> Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises . Felt by most people in the affected area . Slightly felt outside . Generally causes none to minimal damage . Moderate to significant damage very unlikely . Some objects may fall off shelves or be knocked over . </Td> <Td> 10,000 to 15,000 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5.0 -- 5.9 </Td> <Td> Moderate </Td> <Td> VI to VII </Td> <Td> Can cause damage of varying severity to poorly constructed buildings . At most , none to slight damage to all other buildings . Felt by everyone . </Td> <Td> 1,000 to 1,500 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6.0 -- 6.9 </Td> <Td> Strong </Td> <Td> VIII to X </Td> <Td> Damage to a moderate number of well - built structures in populated areas . Earthquake - resistant structures survive with slight to moderate damage . Poorly designed structures receive moderate to severe damage . Felt in wider areas ; up to hundreds of miles / kilometers from the epicenter . Strong to violent shaking in epicentral area . </Td> <Td> 100 to 150 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 7.0 -- 7.9 </Td> <Td> Major </Td> <Td> X or greater </Td> <Td> Causes damage to most buildings , some to partially or completely collapse or receive severe damage . Well - designed structures are likely to receive damage . Felt across great distances with major damage mostly limited to 250 km from epicenter . </Td> <Td> 10 to 20 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 8.0 -- 8.9 </Td> <Td> Great </Td> <Td> Major damage to buildings , structures likely to be destroyed . Will cause moderate to heavy damage to sturdy or earthquake - resistant buildings . Damaging in large areas . Felt in extremely large regions . </Td> <Td> One per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 9.0 and greater </Td> <Td> At or near total destruction -- severe damage or collapse to all buildings . Heavy damage and shaking extends to distant locations . Permanent changes in ground topography . </Td> <Td> One per 10 to 50 years </Td> </Tr> </Table>
<Table> <Tr> <Th> Magnitude </Th> <Th> Description </Th> <Th> Mercalli intensity </Th> <Th> Average earthquake effects </Th> <Th> Average frequency of occurrence ( estimated ) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1.0 -- 1.9 </Td> <Td> Micro </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Microearthquakes , not felt , or felt rarely . Recorded by seismographs . </Td> <Td> Continual / several million per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 2.0 -- 2.9 </Td> <Td> Minor </Td> <Td> I to II </Td> <Td> Felt slightly by some people . No damage to buildings . </Td> <Td> Over one million per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 3.0 -- 3.9 </Td> <Td> III to IV </Td> <Td> Often felt by people , but very rarely causes damage . Shaking of indoor objects can be noticeable . </Td> <Td> Over 100,000 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 4.0 -- 4.9 </Td> <Td> Light </Td> <Td> IV to VI </Td> <Td> Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises . Felt by most people in the affected area . Slightly felt outside . Generally causes none to minimal damage . Moderate to significant damage very unlikely . Some objects may fall off shelves or be knocked over . </Td> <Td> 10,000 to 15,000 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 5.0 -- 5.9 </Td> <Td> Moderate </Td> <Td> VI to VII </Td> <Td> Can cause damage of varying severity to poorly constructed buildings . At most , none to slight damage to all other buildings . Felt by everyone . </Td> <Td> 1,000 to 1,500 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 6.0 -- 6.9 </Td> <Td> Strong </Td> <Td> VIII to X </Td> <Td> Damage to a moderate number of well - built structures in populated areas . Earthquake - resistant structures survive with slight to moderate damage . Poorly designed structures receive moderate to severe damage . Felt in wider areas ; up to hundreds of miles / kilometers from the epicenter . Strong to violent shaking in epicentral area . </Td> <Td> 100 to 150 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 7.0 -- 7.9 </Td> <Td> Major </Td> <Td> X or greater </Td> <Td> Causes damage to most buildings , some to partially or completely collapse or receive severe damage . Well - designed structures are likely to receive damage . Felt across great distances with major damage mostly limited to 250 km from epicenter . </Td> <Td> 10 to 20 per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 8.0 -- 8.9 </Td> <Td> Great </Td> <Td> Major damage to buildings , structures likely to be destroyed . Will cause moderate to heavy damage to sturdy or earthquake - resistant buildings . Damaging in large areas . Felt in extremely large regions . </Td> <Td> One per year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 9.0 and greater </Td> <Td> At or near total destruction -- severe damage or collapse to all buildings . Heavy damage and shaking extends to distant locations . Permanent changes in ground topography . </Td> <Td> One per 10 to 50 years </Td> </Tr> </Table>
how strong of an earthquake to feel it
how strong of an earthquake to feel it
2.0
2.0