# Mercalli Intensity Scale **Is an earthquake classification system used to classify earthquakes based on their effects, instead of released energy** like the [[Richter Magnitude Scale]]. **It classifies earthquakes into categories each expressed with a roman numeral from I (not felt) to XII (total damage).** The [[Shindo Seismic Scale]] is similar in that it also classifies earthquakes based on effects. See [[Shindo Seismic Scale]] for effects which lists Mercalli equivalents.