Richter scale
noun
a scale, ranging from 1 to 10, for indicating the intensity of an earthquake.
Origin of Richter scale
1935–40; after Charles F.
Richter (1900–85), U.S. seismologist
Example sentences from the Web for richter scale
This is how seismic safety is done, by the force of gravity, not from Richter-scale measurements.
Latest Accident at San Onofre Nuclear Plant Worries Activists, Residents |Jamie Reno |February 13, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for richter scale
Richter scale
/ (ˈrɪxtə) /
noun
a scale for expressing the magnitude of an earthquake in terms of the logarithm of the amplitude of the ground wave; values range from 0 to over 9
Compare Mercalli scale See also magnitude (def. 5)
Word Origin for Richter scale
C20: named after Charles
Richter (1900–85) US seismologist
Scientific definitions for richter scale
Richter scale
[ rĭk′tər ]
A logarithmic scale used to rate the strength or total energy of earthquakes. The scale has no upper limit but usually ranges from 1 to 9. Because it is logarithmic, an earthquake rated as 5 is ten times as powerful as one rated as 4. An earthquake with a magnitude of 1 is detectable only by seismographs; one with a magnitude of 7 is a major earthquake. The Richter scale is named after the American seismologist Charles Francis Richter (1900-1985). See Note at earthquake.
Cultural definitions for richter scale
Richter scale
[ (rik-tuhr) ]
A scale used to rate the intensity of earthquakes. The scale is open-ended, with each succeeding level representing ten times as much energy as the last. A serious earthquake might rate six to eight, and very destructive quakes rate higher.
notes for Richter scale
No quake greater than nine has ever been recorded.