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It may potentially be used to find the epicentre of an earthquake, but there would be significant practical problems which would introduce potentially very significant errors in the location estimate. For an explanation, see the following:
The Mercalli scale allocates a value to an earthquake based on the perceived shaking in a specific area (as well as from amplitudes of seismic waves measured on seismometers).
The ground acceleration and amplitude of seismic waves (and hence the perceived shaking) is not just a function of the distance from the epicentre (if it were you could plot contours of Mercalli values to estimate the epicentre based on where the highest reported shaking occurred).
However the amplitude of seismic waves is also a function of the local geology. Seismic waves have much larger amplitudes in soft sediments than in hard rock masses. As such, an area located close to the earthquake epicentre but with ground conditions characterised by hard rock may actually experience significantly lower amplitude vibrations than an area a longer distance away with soft sediments. As such people would report a lower perceived level of shaking (and this would be confirmed by seismometer readings) in the area that was actually closer to the earthquake. The earth is composed of naturally formed materials which therefore have great lateral variability. This therefore can cause great variability in the perceived shaking that bears little relation to the origin of the earthquake.
As such a contour plot on a map of Mercalli values may give some indication of the location of the earthquake epicentre however as described above there are potentially numerous sources of error!
For information on how seismologists locate the epicentre of an earthquake, please see the related question.
What else can I help you with?
What factors determine an earthquale's intensity on the modifield Mercalli scale?
The factors that determine an earthquake's intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale include the earthquake's magnitude, distance from the epicenter, local geology and ground conditions, and building structures. Intensity also depends on the impact of ground shaking, surface faulting, landslides, and other secondary effects.
An earthquake will be given one number on the Richter scale but more than one on the mercalli scale why is this?
The Richter scale measures the strength of an earthquake, this is always the same value, no matter where you are. The Mercalli intensity scale measures the effect of the earthquake on people and structures, and the intensity value will differ depending on how far you are from the epicenter. For instance, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake may be damaging (intensity VII) around the epicenter, but 300 miles away it may be barely felt (intensity II).
What was the mercalli scale for the Kobe earthquake?
The Mercalli Intensity Scale is a measure of earthquake intensity experienced at a given location. The Kobe earthquake in 1995 had intensities reaching up to VIII (8) on the Mercalli Intensity Scale in the heavily affected areas around Kobe.
Why do insurance companies use the Mercalli scale instead of the Richter scale?
Insurance companies use the Mercalli scale because it provides a more accurate measure of the actual damage caused by an earthquake, rather than just the magnitude. The Mercalli scale takes into account factors such as building construction, soil type, and distance from the epicenter, which are important considerations for assessing insurance claims.
Who compiled the mercalli scale?
The mercalli scale was made by Giuseppe mercalli he was born in milan.
What factors determine an earthquale's intensity on the modifield Mercalli scale?
The factors that determine an earthquake's intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale include the earthquake's magnitude, distance from the epicenter, local geology and ground conditions, and building structures. Intensity also depends on the impact of ground shaking, surface faulting, landslides, and other secondary effects.
What scale is described for damage in an earthquake?
Technically, you can't tell damage from the Richter Scale, because the Richter Scale rating of an earthquake stays the same no mater how far out you go from the epicenter. The scale that measures the damage of an earthquake (meaning the scale rating gets lower the further you go from the epicenter) is called the Mercalli Scale. The Mercalli Scale goes from II to XII (2 to 12) and the rating on the Mercalli Scale in which damage starts to occur is about 6. However, if you are going by the Richter Scale, damage at the epicenter would start at about 5.0
How does the mercalli scale best demonstrate the power and the destructive nature of earthquake?
The Richter scale measures the force of earthquakes mechanically. The Mercalli scale measures the damage caused by earthquakes. The location of the epicenter of an earthquake can result in a great variation in damage amounts.
An earthquake will be given one number on the Richter scale but more than one on the mercalli scale why is this?
The Richter scale measures the strength of an earthquake, this is always the same value, no matter where you are. The Mercalli intensity scale measures the effect of the earthquake on people and structures, and the intensity value will differ depending on how far you are from the epicenter. For instance, a 5.5 magnitude earthquake may be damaging (intensity VII) around the epicenter, but 300 miles away it may be barely felt (intensity II).
What factors determine on earthquake's intensity on the modified Mercalli scale?
The Modified Mercalli Intensity scale is used in the US to determine the severity of earthquake effects. Intensity ratings are in Roman numerals, I - meaning no people felt movement, all the way up to XII - where almost everything is destroyed.The amount of structural and geological damage done by an earthquake in a specific location determines an earthquake's intensity on the Mercalli scale. :)
What is the amount of damage caused by an earthquake is called?
The size of an earthquake is measured on the Ricter scale it can also be measured on the Mercalli scale.For an example the 2008 earthquake in China was 7.8 on the Rictor scale and in was XI on the Mercalli scale
What was the mercalli scale for the Kobe earthquake?
The Mercalli Intensity Scale is a measure of earthquake intensity experienced at a given location. The Kobe earthquake in 1995 had intensities reaching up to VIII (8) on the Mercalli Intensity Scale in the heavily affected areas around Kobe.
What was the modified mercalli scale reading in the Peru earthquake 2007?
the modified mercalli scale was VII-VIII
What factors determined an earthquake's intensity on the modified Mercalli scale?
The Modified Mercalli Intensity scale is used in the US to determine the severity of earthquake effects. Intensity ratings are in Roman numerals, I - meaning no people felt movement, all the way up to XII - where almost everything is destroyed.The amount of structural and geological damage done by an earthquake in a specific location determines an earthquake's intensity on the Mercalli scale. :)
What is a intensity scale?
Mercalli is a scale for the measurement of earthquake intensities.
Why do insurance companies use the Mercalli scale instead of the Richter scale?
Insurance companies use the Mercalli scale because it provides a more accurate measure of the actual damage caused by an earthquake, rather than just the magnitude. The Mercalli scale takes into account factors such as building construction, soil type, and distance from the epicenter, which are important considerations for assessing insurance claims.
How does the Mercalli scale best demonstrate the power and the destructive nature of an earthquake?
The Richter scale measures the force of earthquakes mechanically. The Mercalli scale measures the damage caused by earthquakes. The location of the epicenter of an earthquake can result in a great variation in damage amounts.
