By predicting the intensity of shaking due to an earthquake before the earthquake occurs we can help plan to prevent damage. Doing this rapidly after an earthquake can help manage the emergency response efforts.
Intensity is a measure of the effects of earthquakes.
Examples include damage to man-made structures, ground failure and felt shaking. Intensity is not the same as magnitude, although it is influenced by earthquake magnitude. Intensity is also influenced by distance from the fault, ground conditions, and, sometimes, directivity. The most commonly used intensity scale today is the Modified Mercalli Scale. This is the scale we have used in the predictive models.