Did you feel it this morning?

Classic Rock took on a whole new meaning this morning when a "light" earthquake rocked our region.

You may have slept through the 4.1 magnitude shaker hitting at 1:01 a.m., which was centered approximately two miles west of Timpson in Shelby County.  Presently, there are no reports of damage or injuries.

Charles Richter is the architect of the measurement that bears his name when identifying the depth of tremblors.

When assessing earthquake values on the Richter Scale, you should know that each whole incremental value, represents a shaking amplitude 10 times larger!  For example, a magnitude "5" is ten times larger than "4", and so on.  Additionally, in this study, almost 32 percent more energy is released.

MagnitudeDescription Average earthquake effectsAverage frequency of occurrence (estimated)
Less than 2.0  Microearthquakes, not felt, or felt rarely by sensitive people. Recorded by seismographs.Continual/several  million per year
2.0-2.9Minor Felt slightly by few to many people. No damage to buildings.Over one million per year
3.0–3.9 Often felt by at least some people, but very rarely causes damage. Shaking of indoor objects can be noticeable.Over 100,000 per year
4.0–4.9Light Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling noises. Many people to everyone feel the earthquake. Slightly felt outside. Generally causes none to slight damage. Moderate to significant damage very unlikely. Some falling of objects.10,000 to 15,000 per year
5.0–5.9Moderate Can cause moderate to major damage to poorly constructed buildings. At most, none to slight damage to all other buildings. Felt by everyone. Deaths can depend on the effects.1,000 to 1,500 per year
6.0–6.9Strong Can be damaging/destructive in populated areas in regions of any size. Damage to many to all buildings. Earthquake-resistant structures survive with slight to moderate damage. Poorly-designed structures receive moderate to severe damage. Felt in wider areas; likely to be hundreds of miles/kilometers from the epicenter. Can be damaging of any level further from the epicenter. Strong to violent shaking in epicentral area. Death toll between none and 25,000.100 to 150 per year
7.0–7.9Major Causes damage to many to all buildings over areas. Some buildings partially or completely collapse or receive severe damage. Well-designed structures are likely to receive damage. Felt in enormous areas. Death toll is usually between none and 250,000.10 to 20 per year
8.0–8.9GreatMajor damage to poorly-designed buildings and most structures, likely to be destroyed. Will cause moderate to heavy damage to normal and earthquake-resistant buildings. Damaging in big areas. Possible total destruction. Definitely felt in unusually large regions. Death toll is usually between 100 and one million; however some earthquakes this magnitude have killed none.One per year (rarely none, two, or over two per year)
9.0–9.9Severe damage to all or most buildings with massive destruction. Damage and shaking extends to distant locations. Ground changes. Death toll usually between 1,000 and several million.One per 5 to 50 years
10.0 or overMassive Colossal damage/devastation across enormous areas. Destroys all buildings fairly easily and quickly. Will be felt at extremely distant from the epicenter (thousands of miles away, worldwide). Death toll can easily exceed over 25,000 people. Large ground changes. Effects will last for an extremely long time. An earthquake of this magnitude has never been recorded.None per year (unknown, extremely rare, or impossible/may not be possible)

 

 

 

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