I remember in my "lyceum" years (15-17) among many other geological studies we were taught the significance and uniqueness of the Richter Vs Mercalli scales. It

I remember in my "lyceum" years (15-17) among many other geological studies we were taught the significance and uniqueness of the Richter Vs Mercalli scales. It always surprised me how in Europe you never hear of the Mercalli scale and its importance to assess. I assume it is (as some others mentioned below) the lack of the necessary wide-scale of sensors that need to be deployed throughout certain seismogenic areas that tend to be wide (e.g. majority of Italy, Greece). Good to know that Japan (not surprised though as they are more mature/experienced in certain areas) they still use fantastic "tool" called Mercalli.