3 years ago
via
Twitter
about Earthquakes
Anybody in LA right now? What does a 5.0 earthquake feel like?
Separate topics with commas, or by pressing return. Use the delete or backspace key to edit or remove existing topics.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$1 Answer
It depends on the depth of the quake, your distance from the epicenter, and your local soil conditions. Most quakes in Southern California are relatively shallow, and a magnitude-5 quake will typically knock items off of shelves near the epicenter and possibly cause some minor damage. Here are a couple of maps showing the intensity of shaking associated with earthquakes near magnitude 5 in SoCal (the quakes are barely felt in purple areas, can knock items from shelves in the green areas, and cause minor damage in the yellow areas):
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/shakemap/sc/shake/14408052/download/intensity.jpg
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/shakemap/sc/shake/14404512/download/intensity.jpg
The Roman numerals correspond to the intensity of the shaking on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale:
I. Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.
II. Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.
III. Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.
IV. Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.
V. Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows broken. Unstable objects overturned. Pendulum clocks may stop.
VI. Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen plaster. Damage slight.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/topics/mercalli.php
The Roman numerals correspond to the intensity of the shaking on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale:
I. Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.
II. Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.
III. Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.
IV. Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.
V. Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows broken. Unstable objects overturned. Pendulum clocks may stop.
VI. Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen plaster. Damage slight.
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learning/topics/mercalli.php
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$Report Abuse
