The Mercalli intensity scale was created in 1902 by the Italian geologist Guiseppe Mercalli.
| Comparison between Richter and Mercalli scales
|
| Richter Magnitude |
Mercalli Intensity | Description
|
| 2 |
I | Usually not felt, but detected by instruments
|
|
II | Felt by very few people.
|
| 3 |
III | Felt by many, often mistaken as a passing vehicle.
|
|
IV | Felt by many indoors, dishes and doors disturbed.
|
| 4 |
V | Felt by nearly everyone. People awakened. Cracked walls, trees disturbed.
|
| 5 |
VI | Felt by all. Many run outdoors. Furniture moves. Slight damage occurs.
|
|
VII | Everyone runs outdoors. Poorly built buildings suffer severe damage.
Slight damage everywhere else.
|
| 6 |
VIII | Everyone runs outdoors. Moderate to major damage. Minor damage to specially designed buildings. Chimneys and walls collapse.
|
| 7 |
IX | All buildings suffer major damage. Ground cracks, pipes break, foundations shift.
|
|
X | Major damage. Structures destroyed. Ground is badly cracked. Landslides occur.
|
| 8 |
XI | Almost all structures fall. Bridges wrecked. Very wide cracks in ground.
|
|
XII | Total destruction. Ground surface waves seen. Objects thrown into the air. All construction destroyed.
|
