1. Education

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

Quake Magnitudes list

More geology-related scales

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Name
Email

Discuss in my forum

©2012 About.com. All rights reserved.

A part of The New York Times Company.