What is a measure of the strength of shaking during an earthquake called?

The term that describes the strength of shaking during an earthquake is known as intensity. Intensity measures the effects of an earthquake at specific locations, taking into account human observations, structural damage, and the impact on the environment. It is often reported on a scale that ranges from minor shaking to severe effects.

Magnitude, while related, quantifies the energy released at the source of the earthquake and does not capture the local effects or variations in shaking experienced by people and structures. Seismic coefficient refers to a value used in engineering to determine the forces that buildings and structures must withstand during an earthquake but does not directly address the subjective experience of shaking. Ground motion generally describes the physical movement of the ground due to seismic waves but is not a term that encapsulates the effects experienced by people or buildings.