A strong earthquake is generally classified as one with a magnitude between 6.0 and 6.9 on the Richter scale or similar magnitude scales. Such earthquakes can cause moderate to significant damage, especially in populated areas, and are capable of causing structural damage to poorly constructed buildings
. To provide context on magnitude classifications:
- Magnitudes less than 3.5 are usually not felt by people.
- Magnitudes from about 3.5 to 5.4 are often felt but rarely cause damage.
- Magnitudes from 5.5 to 6.0 may cause slight damage.
- Magnitudes from 6.1 to 6.9 are considered strong earthquakes, potentially causing moderate damage in populated areas.
- Magnitudes 7.0 and above are major to great earthquakes, causing serious to severe damage over larger areas
The Richter scale is logarithmic, meaning a magnitude 6.0 earthquake releases about 32 times more energy than a magnitude 5.0, and a magnitude 7.0 releases about 1,000 times more energy than a 5.0. This explains why strong earthquakes cause notable destruction
. In summary, a strong earthquake is one with a magnitude roughly between 6.0 and 6.9, capable of causing moderate damage in affected regions.
