magnitude

less that 2.0 micro

Are not felt or felt only by sensitive people they are only recorded by seismographs continual or several millionsper year

2.0 to 2.9

earthquakes are slightly felt by some people there is no damage to buildings over 1 million per year

3.0 to 3.9 minor

are often felt by people but very rarely cause damage shaking of indoor object can be noticeable over 100,000 per year

4.0- 4.9 light

are felt by most people in the affected area and generally cause no to minimal damage moderate to significant damage is very unlikely shaking of in their object and rattling noises are noticeable some object may fall off shelves or be knocked over

5.0 to 5.9 moderate

are felt by everyone and can cause damage of varying severity to poorly built buildings at most there's none of slight damage to all other buildings casualties range from none to a few

6.0 to 6.9 strong

are felt and wider areas up 200s of kilometers from the epicenter they can cause damage to areas far from the epicenter there is strong to violent shaking in the epicenter and the immediate area many buildings and populated areas are damaged earthquake resistant structure survived with slight to moderate damage poorly built structure receive moderate to severe damage

7.0 to 7.9 major

are felt and large areas and can cause damage to most buildings some buildings partially or completely collapsed or sustain severe damage well built structures are likely to receive damage

8.0 to 8.9 great

are felt in extremely large regions and can cause major damage to buildings structures are likely to be destroyed is moderate to heavy damage to sturdy or earthquake resistant buildings some buildings are totally destroyed and large areas are damaged

9.0 to 9.9 great

there is near or total destruction all building sustain severe damage or collapse completely damaged and shaking extend to distant location there is permanent changes the ground topography

Less than 2.0 micro

Not felt or only felt by sensitive people; recorded by seismographs, occurring millions of times per year.