Magnitude
Effects
Severe destruction
and loss of life
over large areas
8.0+
Great
Serious damage
over large areas;
loss of life
7.0–7.9
Major
Moderate damage
in populated
areas
6.0–6.9
Strong
Some damage to
weak structures
5.0–5.9
Moderate
Felt by all;
minor breakage
of objects
4.0–4.9
Light
Felt by many
people;
no damage
3.0–3.9
Minor
Generally not felt
but recorded on
local instruments
<3.0
Micro
Current fracking regulations demand operations are suspended immediately if tremors exceed 0.5-magnitude
0.5
Magnitude
Effects
8.0+
Severe destruction and loss
of life over large areas
Great
7.0–7.9
Serious damage over large
areas; loss of life
Major
6.0–6.9
Moderate damage
in populated areas
Strong
5.0–5.9
Some damage to
weak structures
Moderate
4.0–4.9
Felt by all; minor
breakage of objects
Light
3.0–3.9
Felt by many people;
no damage
Minor
<3.0
Generally not felt but
recorded on local instruments
Micro
Current fracking regulations demand operations are suspended immediately if tremors exceed 0.5-magnitude
0.5