# Richter

/ˈɹɪktɝ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/richter
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

a scale used to measure how strong an earthquake is. It uses numbers to show the amount of energy released by the ground.

For teachers: a logarithmic scale used to quantify the magnitude of an earthquake based on seismic waves. Often used with 'on' to specify the intensity level.

## Examples

- The earthquake measured 6.5 on the Richter scale.
- Geologists reported that the tremor reached a 4.2 on the Richter scale, causing minor damage to older buildings.
- Because the Richter scale is logarithmic, an increase of one whole number represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude and roughly thirty-one times more energy release.

## Usage notes

- Usually appears in the phrase 'the Richter scale' or 'on the Richter scale'.

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