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
In 2011, an earthquake near Mineral, Virginia, measured at 5.8 on the Richter scale.
—
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2025
The quake measured between 7.8 and 8.2 magnitude on the Richter scale and XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli scale.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
The initial blast was reported as registering 3.5 on the Richter scale.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
That means whatever trades the Cardinals do make this year won’t register much on the Richter scale.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for the Richter scale
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Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2025
The quake measured between 7.8 and 8.2 magnitude on the Richter scale and XI (Extreme) on the Mercalli scale.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025
The initial blast was reported as registering 3.5 on the Richter scale.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
That means whatever trades the Cardinals do make this year won’t register much on the Richter scale.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 20 June 2025
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 1 Oct. 2025.
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