PHIVOLCS

Earthquake
Intensity Scale

The PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) is a

seismic scale used and developed by the Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS)
to measure the intensity of an earthquake.

It was developed as a response to the 1990 Luzon

earthquake. PHILVOLCS cites seismic scale specifically
developed for the Philippine setting, the different
geography of each country and other "geological
considerations" led to the development of PEIS. The
scale measures the effect of an earthquake on a given
area based on its relative effect to people, structures
and objects in the surroundings.[1]

The PEIS was adopted in the Philippines in 1996

replacing the Rossi-Forel scale.[2]

Scales
The PEIS has ten intensity scales represented in
Roman numerals with Intensity I being the weakest and
Intensity X being the strongest.[2]
 PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS)[2]

Equivalent to other
Intensity seismic scales[3]
Description
Scale Modified
Shindo
Mercalli

Delicately
balanced
objects are
disturbed
Scarcely
I slightly. I 0
perceptible
Still water in
containers
oscillates
slowly.

Felt by few
individuals at
rest indoors.
 Hanging
II Slightly felt objects swing II 1
slightly.
Still water in
containers
oscillates
noticeably.

Felt by many
people indoors,
especially in
upper floors.
Hanging
objects swing
moderately.
III Weak III 2
Still water in
containers
oscillates
moderately.
 Feels like a
light truck
passing by.

Felt generally
by people
indoors and by
some people
outdoors.
Hanging
objects swing
considerably.
Motorcars
may rock
slightly.
Liquids in
Moderately containers are
IV IV 2–3
strong slightly
disturbed.
 Water in
containers
oscillates
strongly.
A rumbling
sound may
sometimes be
heard.
Feels like a
heavy truck
passing by.

Felt by most
people indoors
and outdoors.
A strong
shaking and
rocking is felt
 throughout
building.
Hanging
objects swing
violently.
V Strong V 3
Small, light, and
unstable
objects may
fall or
overturn.
Liquids spill
from filled open
containers.
Vehicles rock
noticeably.
Leaves and
twigs of trees
shake.
 Furniture and
other heavy
objects are
displaced.
Wall plaster
may crack.
People may
lose balance.
Small church
bells may ring.
If on the road,
it may feel like
driving with
flat tires.
Very old or
poorly built
VI Very Strong houses and VI
 man-made
structures are
slightly
damaged
though well-
built
structures are
not affected.
Limited
rockfalls and
rolling boulders
occur in hilly to
mountainous
areas and
escarpments.
Trees shake .
4
Heavy objects
and furniture
 overturn or
topple.
Difficulty
standing on
upper floors.
Old or poorly-
built
structures
suffer
considerable
damage.
Some well-
built
structures are
slightly
VII Destructive VII
damaged.
Some cracks
may appear on
 dikes,
fishponds, road
surface, or
concrete
hollow block
walls.
Limited
liquefaction,
lateral
spreading and
landslides are
observed.
Trees shake
noticeably.

People will find

it difficult to
even stand
outdoors.
Many well-built
buildings are
considerably
damaged.
Concrete dikes
and the
foundations of
bridges are
destroyed by
ground settling
or toppling.
Railway tracks
are bent or
broken.
Utility posts,
towers, and
monuments
 may tilt or
topple.
Water and
sewer pipes
may be bent,

Very twisted, or
VIII broken. VIII, IX 5–6
Destructive
Liquefaction
and lateral
spreading
cause
manmade
structures to
sink, tilt, or
topple.
Numerous
landslides and
rockfalls occur
in mountainous
and hilly areas.
Boulders are
thrown out
from their
positions
particularly
near the
epicenter.
Fissures and
faults rupture.
Trees shake
violently.
Water splashes
over dikes or
the banks of
rivers.
 People are
forced to the
ground.
Most buildings
are totally
damaged.
Bridges and
elevated
concrete
structures are
toppled or
destroyed.
Numerous
utility posts,
towers, and
monuments
are tilted,
 toppled, or
broken.
Sewer pipes
are bent,
IX Devastating X, XI
twisted or
broken.
Landslides and
liquefaction
with lateral
spreadings and
sandboils are
widespread.
The ground is
distorted into
undulations.
Trees are
shaken very 7

violently with
some toppled
or broken.
Boulders are
commonly
thrown out.
River water
splashes
violently or
slops over
dikes and
banks.

Many trees are

toppled,
broken, and
uprooted.
Practically all
man-made
 structures are
destroyed.
Massive
landslides and
Completely liquefaction,
X XII
Devastating large-scale
subsidence and
the uplifting of
land forms and
many ground
fissures are
observed.
Changes in
river courses
and
destructive
seiches in large
lakes occur.
References
1. " 'Shaking Table' at Phivolcs helps Pinoys prepare for
quakes" . GMA News. 20 January 2010. Retrieved
12 February 2017.
2. "Making sense of the PHIVOLCS earthquake
intensity levels" . Official Gazette of the Republic of
the Philippines. Archived from the original on 14
October 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
3. "Final Report" (PDF). Earthquake Impact Reduction
Study for Metropolitan Manila, Republic of the
Philippines. Japan International Cooperation Agency,
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology; Pacific
Consultants International, OYO International
Corporation, PASCO Corporation (consultants). 1
(Executive Study): 14. March 2004. Retrieved
12 February 2017.

This article incorporates text from a publication now

in the public domain: "Making sense of the PHIVOLCS
earthquake intensity levels" . Official Gazette of the
Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original
on 14 October 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2017.

External links
PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale at the
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?

title=PHIVOLCS_Earthquake_Intensity_Scale&oldid=850659286"
Last edited 6 months ago by WereSpielChequers

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