mercalli scale
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- 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