Types of disasters

Earthquakes

In Japan, earthquakes are measured by the shindo (seismic intensity) scale.

Shindo 0

Most people do not notice any tremors

Shindo 1

Some people inside buildings may feel the tremors

Shindo 2

People inside buildings notice the tremors.

Lights hanging from the ceiling sway a little.

Shindo 3

People inside buildings notice the shaking.

Plates and other dinnerware may rattle.

Power lines sway a little.

Shindo 4

The shaking frightens most people.

Hanging objects swing widely.

Plates and other dinnerware rattle.

Shindo 5-

Plates and books may fall down from shelves.

Windows may shatter and fall.

Utility poles shake.

Shindo 5+

Walking is difficult.

Drawers and shelves may topple.

Driving is difficult.

Shindo 6-

Standing is difficult.

Wall tiles and windows shatter and fall.

Parts of wooden houses may break.

Shindo 6+

Moving around is difficult.

Drawers and shelves topple.

Walls of wooden houses may crack.

Shindo 7

The strong shaking makes people fall.

Drawers and shelves are tossed around.

Wooden houses may tilt.

Wind and water disasters

Disasters caused by strong winds or heavy rain, including:

Flooding

Water levels rise, causing rivers to overflow

High tides

High tides due to typhoons

Landslides

Slopes and cliffs collapse

Tornadoes

Violent, swirling winds