Richter scale

Rich·ter scale

 (rĭk′tər)

n.

A logarithmic scale used to express the amount of energy released by an earthquake. Its values typically fall between 0 and 9, with each increase of 1 representing a 10-fold increase in energy.

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[After Charles Francis Richter (1900-1985), American seismologist.]

Richter scale

(ˈrɪxtə)

n

(General Physics) 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 magnitude⁵

[C20: named after Charles Richter (1900–85), US seismologist]

Rich′ter scale`

n.

a logarithmic scale for expressing the magnitude of an earthquake, a measurement under 5 considered minor and over 7 indicating major destruction.

[1935–40; after Charles French. Richter (1900–85), U.S. seismologist]

Rich·ter scale

(rĭk′tər)

A scale used to rate the strength or total energy of earthquakes. The scale has no upper limit but usually ranges from 1 to 9. Each increase in whole number represents a tenfold increase in magnitude, so that 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 instruments (seismographs); one with a magnitude of 7 is a major earthquake. See Note at earthquake.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Richter scale - a logarithmic scale of 1 to 10 formerly used to express the magnitude of an earthquake on the basis of the size of seismograph oscillations geology - a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks graduated table, ordered series, scale, scale of measurement - an ordered reference standard; "judging on a scale of 1 to 10"

Translations

Richter scale

[ˈrɪxtəˌskeɪl] N (Geol) → escala f Richter

Richter scale

n → Richterskala f

Richter scale

[ˈrɪxtəʳ skeɪl] n the Richter scale → la scala Richter