Seismic Intensity Scales
The first simple classification of earthquake intensity was devised by Domenico Pignataro in the 1780s. However, the first recognisable intensity scale in the modern sense of the word was drawn up by P.N.G. Egen in 1828; it was ahead of its time. The first widely adopted intensity scale, the Rossi-Forel scale, was introduced in the late 19th century. Since then numerous intensity scales have been developed and are used in different parts of the world.
| Country/Region | Sesmic intensity scale used |
|---|---|
| China | Liedu scale (GB/T 17742-1999) |
| Europe | European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98) |
| Hong Kong | Modified Mercalli scale (MM) |
| India | Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik scale |
| Israel | Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik scale (MSK-64) |
| Japan | Shindo scale |
| Kazakhstan | Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik scale (MSK-64) |
| Russia | Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik scale (MSK-64) |
| Taiwan | Shindo scale |
| United States | Modified Mercalli scale (MM) |
Unlike magnitude scales, intensity scales do not have a mathematical basis; instead they are an arbitrary ranking based on observed effects. Most of seismic intensity scales have twelve degrees of intensity and are roughly equivalent to one another in values but vary in the degree of sophistication employed in their formulation.
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