What is the Mercalli intensity scale?
Quick Answer
The Mercalli intensity scale describes how strongly an earthquake is felt and how much damage it causes at a specific place. It is different from magnitude, which measures the earthquake’s energy.
The Full Story
Developed in its modern form by Giuseppe Mercalli and later modified by scientists, the scale uses Roman numerals from I to XII to describe observed effects. Low intensities may be felt only by a few people, while the highest levels involve total destruction. Because it is based on local shaking and damage, one earthquake can have different Mercalli intensities in different locations. This makes it useful for understanding the human impact of earthquakes, especially in historical events before instruments were common.
Key Facts
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