Application of high-precision questionnaire intensity survey method to the modified Mercalli intensity scale

Abstract

This study applies the high-precision questionnaire intensity method, widely used in Japan, to other earthquake countries. Based on the Modified Mercalli Scale, an intensity questionnaire form was prepared and surveys conducted for two Californian earthquakes and the 1988 Nepal-India border earthquake. Questionnaire intensities correlate reasonably well with intensities reported locally by the USGS and Nepalese agency. A simple adjustment based on the age of buildings is found satisfactory for the case of California but not so for the Nepal-India region. -from English summary