| United States Earthquake Intensity Database, 1638-1985 (Superseded Version) | identificationInfo|
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| (MI_Metadata) fileIdentifier: gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.hazards:G01142 language: eng; USA characterSet: (MD_CharacterSetCode) utf8 hierarchyLevel: (MD_ScopeCode) dataset contact: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Anchor: ROR ID NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information contactInfo: (CI_Contact) address: (CI_Address) electronicMailAddress: ncei.info@noaa.gov onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact name: NCEI Contact Information description: Information for contacts at NCEI. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) pointOfContact dateStamp: 2025-05-08 metadataStandardName: ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data metadataStandardVersion: ISO 19115-2:2009(E) return to top identificationInfo: (MD_DataIdentification) citation: (CI_Citation) title: United States Earthquake Intensity Database, 1638-1985 (Superseded Version) date: (CI_Date) date: 1972-01-01 dateType: (CI_DateTypeCode) publication edition: First identifier: (MD_Identifier) authority: (CI_Citation) title: International DOI Foundation (IDF) date: (inapplicable) code: Anchor: DOI doi:10.25921/wa4z-d240 identifier: (MD_Identifier) authority: (CI_Citation) title: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information date: (inapplicable) code: NCEI Metadata ID: gov.noaa.ngdc.mgg.hazards:G01142 citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Anchor: https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information contactInfo: (CI_Contact) address: (CI_Address) electronicMailAddress: ncei.info@noaa.gov onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact protocol: HTTPS name: NCEI Contact Information description: Information for contacts at NCEI. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) publisher citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: United States Geological Survey > Earthquakes Hazards Program contactInfo: (CI_Contact) address: (CI_Address) deliveryPoint: 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, MS 905 city: Reston administrativeArea: Virginia postalCode: 20192 country: USA onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/ protocol: http name: United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquakes Hazards Program description: The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program is part of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), established by Congress in 1977. We monitor and report earthquakes, assess earthquake impacts and hazards, and research the causes and effects of earthquakes. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information contactInstructions: role: (CI_RoleCode) originator presentationForm: (CI_PresentationFormCode) tableDigital abstract: The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information decommissioned the United States Earthquake Intensity Database, 1638-1985 on May 05, 2025 with no further updates. Upon termination, the underlying data will be available from https://doi.org/10.25921/wa4z-d240. Comments and questions may be sent to: ncei.info@noaa.gov. Note this metadata record is accompanied by another newer version of metadata for the same product. The United States Earthquake Intensity Database is a collection of damage and felt reports for over 23,000 U.S. earthquakes from 1638-1985. The majority of intensities are for U.S. cities, but there are also a few earthquakes and intensities for Panama (1925-1975), the Philippines (1926-1937), and Mexico (1887-1981). The data were compiled from various publications, newspaper reports, and special catalogs. The annual serial "United States Earthquakes," is the principal data source and provides 90 percent of the observations. Most records in the file contain the date and time of occurrence and location of the earthquake, magnitude, focal depth, two-digit state code, name and coordinates of observing city or town, the observed intensity at each town, and the distance from city (or locality) to epicenter. The file consists of more than 150,000 earthquake intensity observations. The data file serves as an important information source for the preparation of intensity histories that are useful for environmental and hazard impact statements. The file is static and is no longer being updated. purpose: Environmental and hazard impact studies, Research credit: United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Earthquakes, published annually by: Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1928-68; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 1969-72; NOAA/U.S. Geological Survey from 1973-80; and U.S. Geological Survey from 1981-1986. status: (MD_ProgressCode) completed pointOfContact: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Anchor: ROR ID NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information contactInfo: (CI_Contact) address: (CI_Address) electronicMailAddress: ncei.info@noaa.gov onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact name: NCEI Contact Information description: Information for contacts at NCEI. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) pointOfContact resourceMaintenance: (MD_MaintenanceInformation) maintenanceAndUpdateFrequency: (MD_MaintenanceFrequencyCode) notPlanned maintenanceNote: There are no plans to update the data in this collection. graphicOverview: (MD_BrowseGraphic) fileName: https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/img/usaint.jpg fileDescription: Map of earthquake intensity locations. fileType: jpg descriptiveKeywords: (MD_Keywords) keyword: Earth Science > Solid Earth > Seismology > Earthquake Occurrences keyword: Earth Science > Solid Earth > Seismology > Earthquake Dynamics keyword: Earth Science > Solid Earth > Tectonics > Continental Tectonics type: (MD_KeywordTypeCode) theme thesaurusName: (CI_Citation) title: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords date: (CI_Date) date: 2024 dateType: (CI_DateTypeCode) revision edition: 19 citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contactInfo: (CI_Contact) onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords name: GCMD Keyword Forum Page description: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) custodian descriptiveKeywords: (MD_Keywords) keyword: INFOTERRA > Disasters > Catastrophic phenomena > Earthquakes keyword: INFOTERRA > Lithosphere > Seismic activity > Seismic activity keyword: INFOTERRA > Lithosphere > Seismic monitoring > Seismic monitoring type: (MD_KeywordTypeCode) theme thesaurusName: (CI_Citation) title: INFOTERRA Keyword Thesaurus date: (unknown) descriptiveKeywords: (MD_Keywords) keyword: Epicenter keyword: Hypocenter type: (MD_KeywordTypeCode) theme thesaurusName: (CI_Citation) title: Uncontrolled Keywords date: (unknown) descriptiveKeywords: (MD_Keywords) keyword: Seismographs keyword: Seismometers type: (MD_KeywordTypeCode) instrument thesaurusName: (CI_Citation) title: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords date: (CI_Date) date: 2020-01-09 dateType: (CI_DateTypeCode) publication edition: 9.1 citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contactInfo: (CI_Contact) onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords name: GCMD Keyword Forum Page description: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) custodian descriptiveKeywords: (MD_Keywords) keyword: ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System type: (MD_KeywordTypeCode) project thesaurusName: (CI_Citation) title: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords date: (CI_Date) date: 2020-01-09 dateType: (CI_DateTypeCode) publication edition: 9.1 citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contactInfo: (CI_Contact) onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords name: GCMD Keyword Forum Page description: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) custodian descriptiveKeywords: (MD_Keywords) keyword: Global type: (MD_KeywordTypeCode) place thesaurusName: (CI_Citation) title: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords date: (CI_Date) date: 2024 dateType: (CI_DateTypeCode) revision edition: 19 citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contactInfo: (CI_Contact) onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords name: GCMD Keyword Forum Page description: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) custodian descriptiveKeywords: (MD_Keywords) keyword: DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce keyword: DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce type: (MD_KeywordTypeCode) dataCentre thesaurusName: (CI_Citation) title: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords date: (CI_Date) date: 2020-01-09 dateType: (CI_DateTypeCode) publication edition: 9.1 citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) contactInfo: (CI_Contact) onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords name: GCMD Keyword Forum Page description: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2024. GCMD Keywords, Version 19. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) custodian resourceConstraints: (MD_LegalConstraints) accessConstraints: (MD_RestrictionCode) otherRestrictions otherConstraints: Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. resourceConstraints: (MD_LegalConstraints) useConstraints: (MD_RestrictionCode) otherRestrictions otherConstraints: Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. resourceConstraints: (MD_LegalConstraints) useLimitation: (MD_RestrictionCode) otherRestrictions otherConstraints: Cite as: United States Geological Survey (USGS), United States Earthquakes, published annually by: Coast and Geodetic Survey from 1928-68; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from 1969-72; NOAA/U.S. Geological Survey from 1973-80; and U.S. Geological Survey from 1981-1986 (2025). U.S. Earthquake Intensity Database (1638?1985) (NCEI Accession 0303634). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Unpublished Dataset. https://doi.org/10.25921/wa4z-d240. Accessed [date]. aggregationInfo: (MD_AggregateInformation) aggregateDataSetName: (CI_Citation) title: Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 1931 date: (CI_Date) date: 1931-12-01 dateType: (CI_DateTypeCode) publication citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Wood, Harry O. role: (CI_RoleCode) author citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Neumann, Frank role: (CI_RoleCode) author citedResponsibleParty: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: (inapplicable) contactInfo: (CI_Contact) onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/ssa/bssa/article-pdf/21/4/277/5299070/bssa0210040277.pdf name: Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 1931 function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) download role: (inapplicable) series: (CI_Series) name: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America issueIdentification: 21(4) otherCitationDetails: pp. 277-283 associationType: (DS_AssociationTypeCode) crossReference initiativeType: (DS_InitiativeTypeCode) sciencePaper language: eng; USA topicCategory: (MD_TopicCategoryCode) geoscientificInformation extent: (EX_Extent) geographicElement: (EX_GeographicBoundingBox) westBoundLongitude: -180.000000 eastBoundLongitude: 180.000000 southBoundLatitude: 4.000000 northBoundLatitude: 69.000000 temporalElement: (EX_TemporalExtent) extent: TimePeriod: beginPosition: 1638-06-11 endPosition: 1985-12-31 return to top contentInfo: (MI_CoverageDescription) attributeDescription: RecordType: Event Date contentType: (MD_CoverageContentTypeCode) physicalMeasurement return to top contentInfo: (MI_CoverageDescription) attributeDescription: RecordType: Earthquake Parameters contentType: (MD_CoverageContentTypeCode) physicalMeasurement dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: Latitude attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: Distance measured north or south from the equator. Distance north is positive, distance south is negative. maxValue: Real: 90.00000 minValue: Real: -90.00000 units: UnitDefinition: identifier: decimal degrees name: decimal degrees dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: Longitude attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: Longitude is measured from the Prime Meridian (which is the north/south line that runs through Greenwich, England), values measured east are positive and values measured west are negative. maxValue: Real: 180.00000 minValue: Real: -180.00000 units: UnitDefinition: identifier: decimal degrees name: decimal degrees dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: Focal Depth attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: The depth of the earthquake is given in kilometers, positive downward. maxValue: Real: 0 minValue: Real: 700 units: UnitDefinition: identifier: kilometers name: kilometers dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: Magnitude attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: The value in this column contains the earthquake magnitude, it is usually the Ms magnitude. The Ms magnitude is the surface-wave magnitude of the earthquake. The magnitude is a measure of seismic energy. The magnitude scale is logarithmic. An increase of one in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in the recorded wave amplitude. However, the energy release associated with an increase of one in magnitude is not tenfold, but about thirtyfold. For example, approximately 900 times more energy is released in an earthquake of magnitude 7 than in an earthquake of magnitude 5. Each increase in magnitude of one unit is equivalent to an increase of seismic energy of about 1.6 x 10,000,000,000,000 ergs. maxValue: Real: 0.0 minValue: Real: 9.9 return to top contentInfo: (MI_CoverageDescription) attributeDescription: RecordType: Felt Report Parameters contentType: (MD_CoverageContentTypeCode) physicalMeasurement dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: City Name attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: The City where the felt report occurred. dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: State attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: The State or Province abbreviation where the felt report occurred. dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: Felt Report Latitude attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: Distance measured north or south from the equator. Distance north is positive, distance south is negative. maxValue: Real: 90.00000 minValue: Real: -90.00000 units: UnitDefinition: identifier: decimal degrees name: decimal degrees dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: Felt Report Longitude attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: Longitude is measured from the Prime Meridian (which is the north/south line that runs through Greenwich, England), values measured east are positive and values measured west are negative. maxValue: Real: 180.00000 minValue: Real: -180.00000 units: UnitDefinition: identifier: decimal degrees name: decimal degrees dimension: (MD_Band) sequenceIdentifier: MemberName: aName: Epicentral Distance attributeType: (unknown) descriptor: The distance from the earthquake source to the felt report location. maxValue: Real: 10000 minValue: Real: 0 units: UnitDefinition: identifier: kilometers name: kilometers rangeElementDescription: (MI_RangeElementDescription) name: Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) definition: The Modified Mercalli Intensity (Int) is given in Roman Numerals (converted to numbers in the digital database). rangeElement: Record: I. Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable circumstances. rangeElement: Record: II. Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings. Delicately suspended objects may swing. rangeElement: Record: III. Felt quite noticeably indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings, but many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibration like passing truck. Duration estimated. rangeElement: Record: IV. During the day felt indoors by many, outdoors by few. At night some awakened. Dishes, windows, and doors disturbed; walls make creaking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motorcars rock noticeably. rangeElement: Record: V. Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows, etc., broken; a few instances of cracked plaster; unstable objects overturned. Disturbance of trees, poles, and other tall objects sometimes noticed. Pendulum clocks may stop. rangeElement: Record: VI. Felt by all; many frightened and run outdoors. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen plaster or damaged chimneys. Damage slight. rangeElement: Record: VII. Everybody runs outdoors. Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction slight to moderate in well built ordinary structures; considerable in poorly built or badly designed structures. Some chimneys broken. Noticed by persons driving motor cars. rangeElement: Record: VIII. Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable in ordinary substantial buildings, with partial collapse; great in poorly built structures. Panel walls thrown out of frame structures. Fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned. Sand and mud ejected in small amounts. Changes in well water. Persons driving motor cars disturbed. rangeElement: Record: IX. Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb; great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations. Ground cracked conspicuously. Underground pipes broken. rangeElement: Record: X. Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations; ground badly cracked. Rails bent. Landslides considerable from river banks and steep slopes. Shifted sand and mud. Water splashed over banks rangeElement: Record: XI. Few, if any (masonry), structures remain standing. Bridges destroyed. Broad fissures in ground. Underground pipelines completely out of service. Earth slumps and land slips in soft ground. Rails bent greatly. rangeElement: Record: XII. Damage total. Waves seen on ground surfaces. Lines of sight and level distorted. Objects thrown upward into the air. rangeElementDescription: (MI_RangeElementDescription) name: Unpublished or Group Intensity definition: Definition not provided. rangeElement: Record: U = Intensity (MM) assigned that was not listed in the source document. rangeElement: Record: G = Intensity grouped I-III in the source document was reassigned intensity III. rangeElementDescription: (MI_RangeElementDescription) name: Country definition: The Country where the felt report occurred. rangeElement: Record: ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA rangeElement: Record: CANADA rangeElement: Record: MEXICO rangeElement: Record: PANAMA rangeElement: Record: PHILIPPINES rangeElement: Record: USA rangeElement: Record: USA TERRITORY rangeElementDescription: (MI_RangeElementDescription) name: Data Source definition: This is a code referring to the source of one or more of the reported parameters (e.g., epicenter, city and intensity). References are listed below. rangeElement: Record: B = Report by Bollinger and Stover, 1976. rangeElement: Record: C = Quarterly Seismological Reports, 1925-27. rangeElement: Record: H = Earthquake History of the United States. rangeElement: Record: K = Report by Carnegie Institution, 1908, 1910. rangeElement: Record: N = Report by Nuttli, 1973. rangeElement: Record: Q = Abstracts of Earthquake Reports for the United States, 1933-70. rangeElement: Record: S = Unpublished report by Nina Scott, 1965. rangeElement: Record: W = Monthly Weather Service Seismological Reports, 1914-24. rangeElement: Record: U = United States Earthquakes, 1928-85. return to top distributionInfo: (MD_Distribution) distributionFormat: (MD_Format) name: Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet version: (unknown) distributor: (MD_Distributor) distributorContact: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: Anchor: https://ror.org/04r0wrp59 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information contactInfo: (CI_Contact) address: (CI_Address) electronicMailAddress: ncei.info@noaa.gov onlineResource: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact name: NCEI Contact Information description: Information for contacts at NCEI. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information role: (CI_RoleCode) pointOfContact distributionOrderProcess: (MD_StandardOrderProcess) fees: In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media. orderingInstructions: Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. transferOptions: (MD_DigitalTransferOptions) transferSize: Real: 300.0 onLine: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://doi.org/10.25921/wa4z-d240 protocol: HTTPS applicationProfile: Web browser name: NCEI Dataset Landing Page description: Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) information onLine: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazard/data/publications/eqint_tsqp.xlsx protocol: http name: United States Earthquake Intensity Database description: Direct file download link for the U.S. Earthquake Intensity Database, a collection of intensities for over 23,000 U.S. earthquakes. The digital database contains information regarding epicentral coordinates, magnitudes, focal depths, names and coordinates of reporting cities (or localities), reported intensities, and the distance from city (or locality) to epicenter. The database file is static and is no longer being updated. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) download onLine: (CI_OnlineResource) linkage: https://doi.org/10.25921/wa4z-d240 protocol: HTTPS applicationProfile: Web browser name: NCEI Dataset Landing Page description: Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. function: (CI_OnLineFunctionCode) download return to top dataQualityInfo: (DQ_DataQuality) scope: (DQ_Scope) level: (MD_ScopeCode) dataset lineage: (LI_Lineage) statement: Although the history of the development of earthquake intensity scales is long and interesting, only a brief summary will be presented here. Poarid, an Italian, made the first known attempt to classify earthquakes by intensity in 1627; he used a scale of four levels of intensity to describe effects of earthquakes experienced at different towns. Although many additional attempts were made in the 18th and 19th centuries to develop comprehensive scales for measuring earthquake intensity, none was more widely used than that formulated in 1873 by M. S. de Rossi of Italy and F. A. Forel of Switzerland. But this scale also had severe limitations, and therefore was superseded in the early 1900s by Mercalli's revised intensity scale; it contained 12 levels of intensity. In 1931, a modified version of Mercalli's scale was published by H. O. Wood and Frank Neumann. Known as the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale of 1931, it has become the standard used by the United States engineering seismology community, which includes the National Geophysical Data Center and the U.S. Geological Survey. processStep: (LE_ProcessStep) description: The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information decommissioned the United States Earthquake Intensity Database, 1638-1985 on May 05, 2025 with no further updates. Upon termination, the underlying data will be available from https://doi.org/10.25921/wa4z-d240. Comments and questions may be sent to: ncei.info@noaa.gov dateTime: DateTime: 2025-05-05T00:00:00Z processStep: (LI_ProcessStep) description: Earthquake intensity data is gathered. processor: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: United States Geological Survey (USGS) role: (CI_RoleCode) originator return to top dataQualityInfo: (DQ_DataQuality) scope: (DQ_Scope) level: (MD_ScopeCode) dataset report: (DQ_CompletenessCommission) evaluationMethodDescription: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the Federal agency responsible for collecting earthquake intensity data. The USGS carries out this responsibility using a questionnaire called "Earthquake Report," and also sends field investigators to the scene of destructive earthquakes to analyze the resulting damage. Different versions of the questionnaire have been used since the mid-1920s by several groups who were responsible for collecting intensity data. The present questionnaire contains pertinent questions about earthquake effects that enable a seismologist to evaluate the intensity of the earthquake in all parts of the shaken area; it also is designed specifically for computer processing. In the past, the USGS sent questionnaires immediately after each U.S. earthquake to postmasters, National Weather Service offices, military installations, and others, requesting that they report all effects of the earthquake in their area. If the earthquake was damaging, expert observers travelled to the field to investigate and photograph the damage incurred. This data-collection program was supplemented by newspaper accounts of earthquake effects, published scientific reports, and reports provided by seismology collaborators. After the completed earthquake questionnaires were returned to USGS, a seismologist analyzed each report and assigned intensities on the basis of the effects at each town; intensity (or isoseismal) maps were then constructed for earthquakes felt over large areas. Descriptions and maps of these events were published annually in the United States Earthquakes series, and a summary of the stronger earthquakes (MM intensity >= V) was published periodically in Earthquake History of the United States. The USGS now only canvasses selected earthquakes. result: (unknown) report: (DQ_ConceptualConsistency) measureDescription: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the Federal agency responsible for collecting earthquake intensity data. The USGS carries out this responsibility using a questionnaire called "Earthquake Report," and also sends field investigators to the scene of destructive earthquakes to analyze the resulting damage. Different versions of the questionnaire have been used since the mid-1920s by several groups who were responsible for collecting intensity data. The present questionnaire contains pertinent questions about earthquake effects that enable a seismologist to evaluate the intensity of the earthquake in all parts of the shaken area; it also is designed specifically for computer processing. In the past, the USGS sent questionnaires immediately after each U.S. earthquake to postmasters, National Weather Service offices, military installations, and others, requesting that they report all effects of the earthquake in their area. If the earthquake was damaging, expert observers travelled to the field to investigate and photograph the damage incurred. This data-collection program was supplemented by newspaper accounts of earthquake effects, published scientific reports, and reports provided by seismology collaborators. After the completed earthquake questionnaires were returned to USGS, a seismologist analyzed each report and assigned intensities on the basis of the effects at each town; intensity (or isoseismal) maps were then constructed for earthquakes felt over large areas. Descriptions and maps of these events were published annually in the United States Earthquakes series, and a summary of the stronger earthquakes (MM intensity >= V) was published periodically in Earthquake History of the United States. The USGS now only canvasses selected earthquakes. result: (unknown) return to top dataQualityInfo: (DQ_DataQuality) scope: (DQ_Scope) level: (MD_ScopeCode) repository levelDescription: (MD_ScopeDescription) other: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information lineage: (LI_Lineage) processStep: (LE_ProcessStep) description: NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015. dateTime: DateTime: 2015-04-22T00:00:00 return to top metadataMaintenance: (MD_MaintenanceInformation) maintenanceAndUpdateFrequency: (MD_MaintenanceFrequencyCode) unknown maintenanceNote: This record was automatically modified on 2015-10-01 to include references to NCEI where applicable. maintenanceNote: Updated 2022-06-14 to replace broken link to IDB with HTML web page. contact: (CI_ResponsibleParty) organisationName: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information positionName: Metadata Specialist role: (CI_RoleCode) editor | |
