Mercalli intensity scale Mercalli intensity scale The Mercalli intensity scale is a seismic intensity scale used for measuring the intensity of an earthquake. It measures the "effects" of an earthquake. It is distinct from the moment magnitude ("M") usually reported for an earthquake, which is a measure of the "energy" released (sometimes misreported as the Richter magnitude, "M"). The intensity of an earthquake is not entirely determined by its magnitude. It is not based on first physical principles, but is, instead, empirically based on observed effects. The Mercalli scale quantifies the effects of an earthquake on the Earth's surface, humans, objects of nature,
Kardashev scale Kardashev scale The Kardashev scale is a method of measuring a civilization's level of technological advancement based on the amount of energy a civilization is able to use. It was proposed by Soviet astronomer Nikolai Kardashev in 1964. The scale has three designated categories: The scale is hypothetical, and regards energy consumption on a cosmic scale. Various extensions of the scale have since been proposed, including a wider range of power levels (types 0, IV and V) and the use of metrics other than pure power. In 1964, Kardashev defined three levels of civilizations, based on the order of magnitude