Mercalli scale

[ mer-kah-lee, mer-; Italian mer-kahl-lee ]
/ mərˈkɑ li, mɛr-; Italian mɛrˈkɑl li /

noun Geology.

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

Origin of Mercalli scale

1920–25; named after Giuseppe Mercalli (1850–1914), Italian seismologist

British Dictionary definitions for mercalli scale

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 (def. 4)

Word Origin for Mercalli scale

C20: named after Giuseppe Mercalli (1850–1914), Italian volcanologist and seismologist

Scientific definitions for mercalli scale

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.