noun
Mercalli intensity
A seismic intensity scale that measures the effects of an earthquake at a specific location, as opposed to magnitude. Used in technical and scientific contexts.
メルカリ震度は、地震の揺れの強さを12段階で表す。
The Mercalli intensity scale expresses the strength of earthquake shaking in 12 levels.
震度 is a general term for seismic intensity, often referring to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) scale. メルカリ震度 specifically refers to the Mercalli scale, which is less commonly used in Japan.
マグニチュード measures the energy released at the earthquake source, while メルカリ震度 describes the observed effects and shaking intensity at a particular location.
From the name of Italian volcanologist Giuseppe Mercalli, who developed the scale, combined with 震度 (shindo, 'seismic intensity').