Richter scale

noun

Rich·ter scale | \ ˈrik-tər-

\

Definition of Richter scale

: 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

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The first known use of Richter scale was in 1936

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