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 (sense 4)
Word origin
C20: named after Giuseppe Mercalli (1850–1914), Italian volcanologist and seismologist
Mercalli scale in American English
(mərˈkɑːli, mer-, Italian meʀˈkɑːlli)
noun
Geology
a measure of earthquake intensity with 12 divisions ranging from I (felt by very few) to XII (total destruction)
Word origin
[1920–25; named after Giuseppe Mercalli (1850–1914), Italian seismologist]This word is first recorded in the period 1920–25. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Unknown Soldier, checkout, follow-up, tie-in, zipper