the Richter scale
noun
technical
: a system of measurement used for showing the strength of an earthquake
The earthquake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale.
Examples of the Richter scale in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The resulting shock wave shattered glass across hundreds of square miles, injuring nearly 1,500 people and registering as a seismic event between 2.7 and 3.7 on the Richter scale.
—
Shawn Laatsch,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Every time an event, anywhere in the world, crosses a threshold on the Richter scale, the installation is dominated by a tritone played on a punk bass.
—
Pablo Larios,
Artforum,
10 June 2026
The shockwave resulting from the explosion also measured 2.5 on the Richter scale.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
On Friday, March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, which measured 9.0 on the Richter scale, caused a 49-foot tsunami that disabled the power supply and prompted three reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the Richter scale
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Shawn Laatsch,
The Conversation,
15 June 2026
Every time an event, anywhere in the world, crosses a threshold on the Richter scale, the installation is dominated by a tritone played on a punk bass.
—
Pablo Larios,
Artforum,
10 June 2026
The shockwave resulting from the explosion also measured 2.5 on the Richter scale.
—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
On Friday, March 11, 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, which measured 9.0 on the Richter scale, caused a 49-foot tsunami that disabled the power supply and prompted three reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant.
—
Kurt Snibbe,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the Richter scale
Cite this Entry
“The Richter scale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20Richter%20scale. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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