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Mercalli scale
[ mer-kah-lee, mer-; Italian mer-kahl-lee ]
noun
, Geology.
- a measure of earthquake intensity with 12 divisions ranging from I (felt by very few) to XII (total destruction).
Mercalli scale
/ mɜːˈkælɪ /
noun
- a 12-point scale for expressing the intensity of an earthquake, ranging from 1 (not felt, except by few under favourable circumstances) to 12 (total destruction) Compare Richter scale See also intensity
Mercalli scale
/ mər-kä′lē,mĕr- /
- A scale of earthquake intensity based on observed effects and ranging from I (detectable only with instruments) to XII (causing almost total destruction). It is named after the Italian seismologist Giuseppe Mercalli.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of Mercalli scale1
1920–25; named after Giuseppe Mercalli (1850–1914), Italian seismologist
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Word History and Origins
Origin of Mercalli scale1
C20: named after Giuseppe Mercalli (1850–1914), Italian volcanologist and seismologist
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Compare Meanings
How does Mercalli scale compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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Example Sentences
Instead, seismologists relied on a Roman-numeral-based Mercalli scale that depended on subjective assessments like how much objects were damaged and how people reacted.
From Los Angeles Times
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