Earthquake Intensity Scales Compared
This table compares four scales of seismic intensity. The Modified Mercalli scale is used in the United States; the Rossi-Forel scale was the first widely used intensity scale, devised in the late 1800s; the Omori scale is used throughout Japan, and the European Macroseismic Scale is the current standard in Europe. Many other nations use local versions of these scales for purposes of emergency planning and quake-resistant construction guidelines.
| Mercalli | Rossi-Forel | Omori | European |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | I | 0 | I |
| II | I–II | I | II |
| III | III | II | III |
| IV | IV–V | II–III | IV |
| V | V–VI | III | V |
| VI | VI–VII | IV | VI |
| VII | VIII- | IV–V | VII |
| VIII | VIII+ to IX- | V | VIII |
| IX | IX+ | V–VI | IX |
| X | X | VI | X |
| XI | VII | XI | |
| XII | XII |
