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

Observed at this level

Camera footage our reviewer rated V from the effects it shows. All 5 clips at V · Random clip at V

Exterior parking lot with row of cars.
M7.7 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama
Exterior of commercial shopping strip mall
M7.7 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama
Exterior of skyscraper and street level parking lot with cars
M7.7 12 km WSW of Pitaloza Arriba, Panama
Interior house shaking
M7.5 20 km W of Catia La Mar, Venezuela
Light fixtures swinging in hotel
M7.1 Ridgecrest Earthquake Sequence
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.