Magnitude is not a damage score
Magnitude describes the size of the earthquake at its source. It is a single event-level measure. A larger magnitude usually means more released energy, but it does not tell one person exactly what they will feel in a particular room.
Intensity depends on where you are
Intensity describes the effects at a location. Distance from the epicenter, depth, local ground conditions, building design, and the direction of rupture can all change the experience. That is why an event can be widely reported while producing very different observations from city to city.
Four fields worth checking
- Magnitude: compare events, but do not use it alone to decide what to do.
- Depth: a shallow event can produce stronger local shaking than a deeper event of similar size.
- Distance and location: an epicenter far away may matter less to you than a smaller event nearby.
- Revision status: early automatic estimates can be updated as more stations report.
A calm reading habit
When a notification arrives, first check the event location and distance. Then look for the official local report and any civil-protection instruction. If you are shaking, injured, near the coast, or told to evacuate, act on the instruction instead of waiting for a perfect number.
What the app adds
Earthquake Network - Panic combines event information with a configurable radius, magnitude threshold, map, statistics, and saved-place context. Its impact cards are clearly labeled estimates derived from magnitude and distance, not measurements or predictions; they do not replace the local authority’s assessment.
Quick reference
Follow your country’s civil-protection instructions during an emergency and confirm reports with official seismic sources.
Reviewed October 10, 2026. Earthquake parameters may be revised after an initial report.