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Mercalli scale

[ mer-kah-lee, mer-; Italian mer-kahl-lee ]

noun

, Geology.
  1. a measure of earthquake intensity with 12 divisions ranging from I (felt by very few) to XII (total destruction).


Mercalli scale

/ mɜːˈkælɪ /

noun

  1. 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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Mercalli scale

/ mər-kälē,mĕr- /

  1. 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

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mercadomercantile