: an open-ended logarithmic scale for expressing the magnitude of a seismic disturbance (such as an earthquake) in terms of the energy dissipated in it with 1.5 indicating the smallest earthquake that can be felt, 4.5 an earthquake causing slight damage, and 8.5 a very devastating earthquake
Examples of Richter scale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Typically, an earthquake needs to score a 2.0-2.5 on a Richter scale to be felt by people.
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Sven Karabegovic, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
Barring the unexpected, the outcome is not likely to register high on the political Richter scale.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2022
After 99 yards and a Gators touchdown, The Swamp was shaking at Richter scale levels from the pure noise of it all.
—Cecil Hurt, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2021
The Mavs probably will make a deal before the March 25 trade deadline, but don’t expect any of them to set off Richter scale.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 5 Mar. 2021
Sven Karabegovic, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 Sep. 2023
Barring the unexpected, the outcome is not likely to register high on the political Richter scale.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2022
After 99 yards and a Gators touchdown, The Swamp was shaking at Richter scale levels from the pure noise of it all.
—Cecil Hurt, USA TODAY, 19 Sep. 2021
The Mavs probably will make a deal before the March 25 trade deadline, but don’t expect any of them to set off Richter scale.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 5 Mar. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Richter scale.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near Richter scale
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“Richter scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Richter%20scale. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
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Richter scale
noun
Rich·ter scale
ˈrik-tər- 
: a scale for expressing the strength of an earthquake
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