Definition

Noun: - A scale formerly used to describe the intensity of an earthquake based on observed effects and damage: The Mercalli scale is a seismic intensity scale. It measures the effects of an earthquake at specific locations, describing what people experience and the damage to structures. It uses Roman numerals from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction).

Usage

• The Mercalli scale is used to describe how strongly an earthquake was felt and the damage it caused in a particular place.
• It contrasts with magnitude scales (like the Richter scale) that measure the energy released at the earthquake's source.
• Example:

Examples

Advanced Usage

• Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale: The modern, refined version of the scale commonly used today in the United States and other countries.
  • The USGS reported a maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity of VII for the event.

Variants and Related Words

• Intensity scale: A general term for scales like the Mercalli scale that measure earthquake effects.
• Seismic intensity: The measure of shaking and damage at a given location, which the Mercalli scale quantifies.
• Richter scale: A different, well-known scale that measures the magnitude (energy release) of an earthquake, not its intensity.

Synonyms

• Seismic intensity scale (general term)
• Intensity scale (general term)

Notes

• The Mercalli scale is named after the Italian volcanologist Giuseppe Mercalli, who developed an early version in 1902.
• It is subjective, as it relies on human observations and reports of effects, unlike instrumental magnitude scales.

Noun

1. a scale formerly used to describe the magnitude of an earthquake; an earthquake detected only by seismographs is a I and an earthquake that destroys all buildings is a XII