Richter scale

== English == === Etymology === Named after American seismologist Charles Richter (1900–1985), whose name derives from German Richter (“judge”). === Pronunciation === (US, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈɹɪkt.ɚ skeɪl/ === Proper noun === the Richter scale (seismology) A logarithmic scale used to express the energy released by an earthquake, each increase of 1 representing a 31-fold increase in energy, and a 10-fold increase in the measured wave amplitude. ==== Usage notes ==== Now mostly replaced by the moment magnitude scale, which is often incorrectly referred to as Richter scale in news media. ==== Translations ==== === Noun === Richter scale (plural Richter scales) A value on the Richter scale. === See also === Fujita scale Torino scale moment magnitude scale