Medvedev-Sponheuer-KARnik (MSK) Intensity Scale
for Measurement of Severity of earthquake shaking (IS 1893-2002)

Types of Structures (Buildings)
Structure A:   Buildings in field stone, rural structures, abode houses, clay houses
Structure B:  Ordinary brick buildings, buildings of the large block and prefabricated type, half timbered structures, buildings in natural hewn stone
Structure C:   Reinforced buildings, well-built wooden structures

Definition of quantity
Single, few    : about 5 per cent
Many           : about 50 per cent      
Most             : about 75 per cent

Classification of damage to buildings
Grade 1 - Sight damage         : Fine cracks in plaster; fall of small pieces of plaster
Grade 2 - Moderate damage   : Small cracks in walls; fall of fairly large piece of plaster; pantiles slip off; cracks in chimneys; parts of chimneys fall down
Grade 3 - Heavy damage        : Large cracks in walls; fall of chimneys
Grade 4 - Destruction            : Gaps in walls; parts of buildings may collapse; separate parts of the building lose their cohesion; inner walls collapse
Grade 5 - Total damage      : Total collapse of buildings

Arrangement of the scale
Introductory letters are used throughout the scale in three paragraphs as follows:           
(a)  Persons and surroundings.
(b)  Structures of all kinds.
(c)  Nature.

INTENSITY SCALE

MSK I - Not noticeable
(a)  The intensity of the vibrations is below the limit of sensibility and tremor is detected and records by seismographs only.

MSK II - Scarcely noticeable (very slight)
(a) Vibration is felt only by individual people at rest in houses, especially on upper floors of buildings.

MSK III - Weak, partially observed only
(a)  The earthquake is felt indoors by a few people, outdoors only in favourable circumstances. The vibration is like that due to the passing of a light truck. Attentive observers notice a slight swinging of hanging objects. 

MSK IV - Largely observed
(a) The earthquake is felt indoors by a few people outdoors. Here and there people awake, but no one is frightened. The vibration is like that due to the passing of a heavily loaded truck. Windows, doors, and dishes rattle. Floors and walls creak. Furniture begins to shake. Hanging objects swing slightly. Liquids in open vessels are slightly disturbed. In standing motor cars the shock is noticeable.

MSK V - Awakening
(a)  The earthquake is felt indoors by all, outdoors by many. Many sleeping people awake. A few run outdoors. Animals become uneasy. Buildings tremble throughout. Hanging objects swing. Pictures knock against walls or swing out of place. Occasionally pendulum clocks stop. Unstable objects may be overturned or shifted. Doors and windows are thrust open and slam back again. Liquids spill in small amounts from well-filled open containers. The sensation of vibration is like that due to a heavy object falling inside the building.
(b) Slight waves on studding water; sometimes change in flow of springs.

MSK VI - Frightening
(a) Felt by most indoors and outdoors. Many people in buildings are frightened and run outdoors. A few persons lose their balance. Domestic animals run out of their stalls. In many instances dishes and glassware may break, books fall down, pictures move, and unstable objects overturn. Heavy furniture may possibly move and small steeple bells may ring.
(b) Damage of Grade 1 is sustained in single buildings of Type B and in many of Type A. Damage in some buildings of Type A is of Grade 2.
(c)  Cracks up to widths of 1 cm possible in wet ground; in mountains occasional landslips; change in flow of springs and in level of well-water.

MSK VII - Damage to Buildings
(a)  Most people are frightened and run outdoors. Many find it difficult to stand. The vibration is noticed by persons driving motorcars. Large bells ring.
(b)      In many buildings of Type C, damage of Grade 1 is caused; in buildings of Type B, damage is of Grade 2. Most buildings of Type A suffer damage of Grade 3, some of Grade 4. In single instances there are landslips of roadway on steep slopes; cracks in roads are visible; seams of pipelines are damaged; and cracks in stone walls appear.
(c) Waves are formed on water, made turbid by mud stirred up. Water levels in wells change, and the flow of springs changes. Sometimes dry springs have their flow resorted and existing springs stop flowing. In isolated instances parts of sandy or gravelly banks slip off.

MSK VIII - Destruction of Buildings
(a) Fright and panic; also persons driving motor cars are disturbed. Here and there branches of trees break off. Even heavy furniture moves and partly overturns. Hanging lamps are damaged in part.
(b)       Most buildings of Type C suffer damage of Grade 2, and few of Grade 3. Most buildings of Type B suffer damage of Grade 3. Most buildings of Type A suffer damage of Grade 4. Many buildings of Type C suffer damage of Grade 4. There is the occasional breaking of pipe seams. Memorial and monuments move and twist. Tombstones overturn. Stone walls collapse.
(c)             Small landslips in hollows and on banked roads on steep slopes occur; there are cracks in ground up to widths of several centimeters. Waters in lakes become turbid. New reservoirs come into existence. Dry wells refill and existing wells become dry. In many cases, change in flow and level of water is observed.

MSK IX - General Damage to Buildings
(a)  General panic; considerable damage to furniture. Animals run to and fro in confusion, and cry.
(b)  Many buildings of Type C suffer damage of Grade 3, and a few of Grade 4. Many buildings of Type B show a damage of Grade 2 and a few of Grade 5. Many buildings of Type A suffer damage of Grade 5.  Monuments and columns fall. There is considerable damage to reservoirs; under-ground pipes are partly broken. In individual cases, railway lines are bent and roadways damaged.
(c) On flat and overflow of water, sand and mud is often observed. Ground cracks to widths of up to 10 cm, on slopes and river banks more than 10 cm. Furthermore, a large number of slight cracks in the ground and rock falls are seen; there are many landslides and earth flows; and large waves in water. Dry wells renew their flow and existing wells dry up.

MSK X - General Destruction of Buildings
 (b)     Many buildings of Type C suffer damage of Grade 4, and a few of Grade 5. Many buildings of Type B show damage of Grade 5. Most of Type A have destruction of Grade 5. There is critical damage to dikes and dams. Severe damage to bridges. Railway lines are bent slightly. Underground pipes are bent or broken. Road paving and asphalt show waves.
(c)       In the ground, there are cracks up to widths of several centimeters, sometimes up to 1 metre. The ground parallel to water courses have broad fissures. Loose ground slides from steep slopes. From river banks and steep coasts, considerable landslides are possible. In coastal areas, there is displacement of sand and mud; change of water level in wells; water from canals, lakes, rivers, etc., thrown on land. New lakes occur.

MSK XI - Destruction
 (b)  Severe damage even to well-built buildings, bridges, water dams and railway lines. Highways become useless. Underground pipes are destroyed.
(c) Broad cracks and fissures, as well as movement in horizontal and vertical directions, considerably distort the ground. There are numerous landslips and falls of rocks. The intensity of the earthquake requires to be investigated specifically.

MSK XII - Landscape Changes
(b)  Practically all structures above and below ground are greatly damaged or destroyed.
(c) The surface of the ground is radically changed. Considerable ground cracks with extensive vertical horizontal movements are observed. Falls of rock and slumping of river banks over wide areas, lakes are dammed; waterfalls appear, and rivers are deflected. The intensity of the earthquake requires to be investigated specially.

List of All Towns located in Seismic Zones III, IV and V 
(BMTPC, 2006)

Note:

Of the above towns, only those with population more than 500,000 and a few other prominent towns are considered for seismic retrofitting in NDMAPAG-EQ.

List of All Districts located in Seismic Zones III, IV and V 
 (BMTPC, 2006)

21 December, 2005
 A meeting of earthquake management specialists was held to review the status of capacity building on earthquake-resistant techniques, the progress of earthquake mitigation measures in zone IV and V cities, to explore strategies for reviewing building codes in earthquake prone cities and for lifeline buildings in earthquake prone cities and to develop a roadmap for earthquake mitigation in India, with clear strategies, phasing and timelines.

25 January, 2006
A follow up workshop to the meeting held on 21st December 2005 was organized for discussion on National Disaster Management Policy and Guidelines – Earthquakes. A core group was constituted during this meeting that would work on the Policy Document till its finalization.

3 May, 2006
Extended Workshop for review and discussion on National Disaster Management Policy and Guidelines for Earthquakes.

9 May, 2006
Earthquake Core Group meeting with Hon’ble Vice Chairman and Hon’ble Member to review and discussion the National Disaster Management Policy and Guidelines for Earthquakes.

9 June, 2006
 Extended Workshop for review and discussion on National Disaster Management Policy and Guidelines for Earthquakes.

17 July, 2006
A workshop on the National Disaster Management Policy and Guidelines for Earthquakes was organized in association with IIT, Kanpur to review and discuss the Draft NDMPAG-EQ document with the officials from different northern and central states of India.

28 and 29 Jul, 2006

A workshop on the National Disaster Management Policy and Guidelines for Earthquakes was organized in association with IIT, Powai to review and discuss the Draft NDMPAG-EQ document with the officials from different southern/coastal and western states of India.

17  August, 2006
A workshop was held on Retrofitting Guidelines to discuss and review the roadmap for retrofitting of lifeline structures.

18 August, 2006

A workshop on Training and Capacity Building of architects and engineers was held  to discuss and review the MHA run courses and MHRD run courses for training on earthquake-resistant constructions.