Answer:
While the Mercalli scale describes the intensity of an earthquake based on its observed effects, the Richter scale describes the earthquake's magnitude by measuring the seismic waves that cause the earthquake. The two scales have different applications and measurement techniques.
Explanation:
Mercalli Scale Richter Scale
Measures The effects caused by an earthquake The energy released by an earthquake
Measuring Tool Observation Seismograph
Calculation Quantified from observation of the effects on earth’s surface, humans, objects and man-made structures Base-10 logarithmic scale obtained by calculating logarithm of the amplitude of waves.
Scale I (not felt) to XII (total destruction) From 2.0 to 10.0+ (never recorded). A 3.0 earthquake is 10 times stronger than a 2.0 earthquake.
Consistency Varies depending on distance from epicenter Varies at different distances from the epicenter, but one value is given for the earthquake as a whole.
